Baltacha Reaches First Career Clay-Court Semi-Final

Written by: Staff on 7th May 2011

Baltacha Reaches First Career Clay-Court Semi-Final |

Elena Baltacha made it to her her first semi-final after beating Kristina Barrois in a tough three set match 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. Baltacha is currently ranked 91 in the world, and before this week had never made it to a quarter-finals at a senior clay court event. She will await the winner of the Zhuang Shuai or Pauline Parmentier match up. The semi-final match up will be on Saturday.

Elena Baltacha quotes:

On making her first clay-court semi-final

“It’s a big win for me because I’ve never been in a clay court
semi-final before and this means a lot. I’ve definitely had a few
hang-ups about clay in the past and I’ve probably never taken the
preparation seriously before. The two weeks I spent in Spain at the La
Manga Club (last month) helped me a lot. That time was very relaxed
because my family came over, but at the same time it was hard work and
I think it helped changed the way I look at playing on clay.

“I might not always play a traditional clay court game but I’m not
just going out there and blasting balls left, right and centre any
more. I’m using my head a lot better and I’m finding out what works
and how I can hurt people on this stuff. I don’t think I really
understood how to do that before.”

On the match

“She was a break up in the second set but I played smart and stayed
calm. I think she might have got a big frustrated. I was really calm
and really patient, which is something I’ve never have been able to
say in previous years I’ve played on clay. I stayed relaxed, I was
calm and I used my experience and that was really, really important
today. I’m beginning to do that on all surfaces. I think I’m finally
starting to use my age in a really positive way and it’s working for
me.”