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.
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Hide AdBut 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.
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Hide Ad"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.