Keothavong defeats seed

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:29

The British number one was in impressive form on the clay as she defeated the flamboyant American 6-2 7-6 (7/4).

She will face either Jill Craybas or Edina Gallovits in the second round.

After the first two games were shared, Keothavong won four in a row to take control of the first set.

She slipped up serving for the set but immediately broke Mattek-Sands for the third time to seal her advantage.

The second set was much tighter. Keothavong, who had won only two previous matches on clay this season, went an early break up but her opponent immediately hit back.

The 25-year-old Londoner had a match point at 5-4 on the Mattek-Sands serve but she could not convert.

The American forced a tie-break and the match looked to be heading for a decider when she moved 4-2 ahead but Keothavong reeled off five points in a row to claim victory.

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