Elena: Only my best will be good enough

Jun 23 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

TENNIS ace Elena Baltacha might be on her best form yet heading to Wimbledon– but she insists even that might not be enough to see her progress past the first round.

The 25-year-old faces Ukraine’s world number 33 Alona Bondarenko today following a semi-final appearance at the AEGON Trophy in Nottingham, as well as pushing world number 27 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova close at the AEGON Classic in Birmingham.

But Baltacha – who reached the second round at Wimbledon last year before falling to eventual semi-finalist Zheng Jie – believes she will have to play the game of her career to replicate last year’s performance.

“She’s not the easiest opponent I could be facing,” said the British number two.

“Alona’s a very tough player and she can definitely play well on the grass.

“For me to stand a chance of winning I know I will have to play my best tennis.

“But I believe I’m capable of doing that because I’ve had a good run-up to the championships.

“Wimbledon is the perfect place to find the inspiration you need to win a match like that and I’m really looking forward to it.”