Razzano stops Keothavong’s Hobart run
British No.1 suffers three-set defeat…
Anne Keothavong narrowly missed out on a place in the quarter-finals of the Moorilla Hobart International on Tuesday.
The British No.1 lost 4-6, 6-0, 7-5 to Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano in their second round clash at the $220,000 event in Tasmania.
Despite the defeat, Keothavong says she will arrive at next week’s Australian Open full of confidence after four excellent singles victories so far this year.
“Today was another close contest but I came out on the wrong side of it,” Anne said.
“I didn’t serve as well as I did yesterday which let me down as I had more than my fair share of chances to win the match.
“I lost focus in the second set and it slipped away quickly from me but even though I re-grouped in the third it wasn’t enough.
“She played well though and I can still go to Melbourne feeling confident about my tennis and well prepared.”
Keothavong was back on court later on Tuesday when she and Mara Santangelo took on top seeds Alona and Kataryna Bondarenko from Ukraine in the first round of the doubles.
The British-Italian duo put up a good fight but had to settle for a 6-4, 7-6(3) defeat.
Keothavong will now move onto Melbourne where she will begin her preparations for her main draw debut at the Australian Open.