Anne denied first WTA final
Anne replicates her 2009 Memphis run after falling in the semis
Anne Keothavong’s hopes of reaching her first WTA final were ended by Sofia Arvidsson on Saturday after the Swede booked a place in the final of the Cellular South Cup.
Arvidsson triumphed 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to knock out Keothavong in her first WTA tournament back after over six months out with a knee injury.
The British No.3 lamented her struggle to maintain consistency as the cause for her defeat.
“Sofia was the more consistent player but I felt like the more aggresive and powerful player except I wasn’t able to string my good stuff together for long enough at a time,” Keothavong said.
“My first serve let me down today but it’s something I’ve struggled with all week and it’s going to need some work before my next tournament at Indian Wells.”
And though disappointed to miss out on the final, the 26-year-old was keen to take the positives out of her recent form after replicating her 2009 run to the semi-finals in Memphis.
‘It’s always disappointing to lose a close match but I think I’ve got to put everything in to perspective,” Keothavong said.
“It’s been a long road back for me and I’ve exceeded my expectations these last few weeks, I can still crack a smile because I’m just happy to be competing again.”
The Londoner has seen more action than expected on her comeback after competing in the Fed Cup, in Michigan and in Memphis. But after coming through unscathed, Keothavong plans to have a little rest, before continuing on what she feels will be a strong season.
“The fire is still there,” she urged. “I fought my hardest and I’m only going to get better the more I play from now.
“There’s been a lot of tennis this month and I need to allow some time for my body to recover again, there’s a lot I can build on and that’s exciting for the rest of the year.”