Chakvetadze clinches Indian Wells opener
Anne bows out in Indian Wells after a three-set defeat to the world No.70
Anne Keothavong exited the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after losing 2-6 6-3 6-1 to former world No.5 Anna Chakvetadze.
The 23-year-old Russian – who made the quarter-finals of both the Australian and French Open and the US Open semi-finals in 2007 – battled back from the loss of the first set to clinch her fourth victory in as many meetings between the pair.
“I started off strongly in difficult conditions but I wasn’t able to sustain the pressure on Anna,” conceded 26-year-old Keothavong.
“She raised her game and was too good off the ground eventually and played like the top ten player she once was.”
Still on the comeback trail after a deliberating knee injury that ruled her out of competitive action for over six months, Keothavong was optimistic in spite of the disappointment.
“It’s never much fun going out in the first round but its still early days for me,” she said.
“Being back in this environment and practising with better players will help me for the weeks ahead.”