Tennis: Bullish Baltacha now has Henin in her sights

Baltacha's joy in getting over the first hurdle in Melbourne, achieved thanks to a feisty 3-6 6-4 7-5 win over American qualifier Jamie Hampton, was matched minutes later by Anne Keothavong as the British women enjoyed a rare day of success.

Keothavong beat Arina Rodionova 7-5 6-4 and will meet 30th-seeded German Andrea Petkovic.

But it is Baltacha's encounter with Henin which catches the eye. The Scot was bullish when asked about her chances of beating the Belgian former world No 1 and said: "You can't give someone respect because once you do that's it. If I give her respect it's going to be love and love within half an hour. You've got to go out there and show no respect. "

Keothavong felt her own win vindicated a decision to carry on playing after considering her future in the game following a first-round loss to Yung-Jan Chan at the US Open in August.

"In New York it was very different. I think I was quite emotional after the match," she said. "I'd been on a run of results that hadn't been going my way. And, yeah, I did consider different things."

As for what persuaded her to carry on post-New York, she added: "I had a very good friend of mine who was out in New York as well. I took some time off, spent some time with her and she put things into perspective.

"Her sister was in a hit-and-run accident and has been left brain-damaged. So I think looking at the bigger picture."

World No 1 Caroline Wozniacki overcame Gisela Dulko, who tops the doubles rankings, 6-3 6-4 and Maria Sharapova opened proceedings with a 6-1 6-3 victory over Tamarine Tanasugarn.

Venus Williams beat Sara Errani 6-3 6-2 and Yanina Wickmayer edged out home hope Jarmila Groth 6-2 2-6 6-4.

French Open champion Francesca Schiavone was made to struggle by Arantxa Parra Santonja before advancing 6-7 (4/7) 6-2 6-4, while Li Na, a semi-finalist in Melbourne last year, beat Sofia Arvidsson 6-1 7-5.