Elena Baltacha today crashed out of Wimbledon after twice blowing a final set advantage to lose 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 to China's Shuai Peng.
The British No1 fought admirably but was ultimately left to rue a series of missed opportunities to record a notable victory over the No20 seed and become the first British woman since 2002 to reach the third round.
Baltacha achieved that feat nine years ago and threatened a repeat in a match of fine margins on Court 18.
Although lying 48 places below her opponent in the world rankings, Baltacha traded blow for blow with her counterpart until she tightened up in the decider as Peng battled her way through. The match went comfortably with serve until Baltacha's consistent hitting from the back of the court unnerved her opponent in the ninth game as she raced to a 40-0 advantage before securing the break with a fierce forehand return winner.
Baltacha's confidence was flowing and she closed out the first set as Peng continued to fail in matching her opponent's hitting from the back of the court. After edging a fiercely contested opener, Baltacha's level dipped at the start of the second and it was all Peng needed to pounce.
Peng consistently targeted Baltacha's backhand side and, whereas the Briton had earlier been able to come up with the requisite answers, suddenly errors were starting to creep into her game.
The pair traded holds before Peng forced an opening which she took courtesy of an errant forehand which landed long to give her a way back into the match. Peng was dictating the rallies and she broke again to clinch the second set but Baltacha responded early in the third set by breaking immediately only to concede the advantage in the next game.
Baltacha broke again and had two points for a 5-3 lead only for Peng to fight back. As the match reached its climax, Baltacha attempted to stay aggressive but nerves crept into her game and Peng secured the win.
