Britain's Elena Baltacha wins ITF Midland tournament in Michigan

Britain's Elena Baltacha enjoyed the biggest victory of her career last night, winning the ITF Midland tournament in Michigan. Baltacha, the No3 seed, beat the favourite, Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic, 5‑7, 6‑2, 6‑3. The $100,000 tournament is part of the International Tennis Federation's second-tier circuit and the win took the Ukranian-born player's ranking from 83rd in the world to 70th. "It's amazing," she said. "I've never won a 100k before, and to beat such a good player in the final as well. "We were looking at the 75 spot in the rankings and after the quarters we were like, 'OK, we've done it. In the semis you can relax and enjoy it.' And then I thought, 'I want to win the title.' To win, to beat Hradecka and to make top 75 is just so special." The opening set of the match was the first set dropped by Baltacha all tournament. Anne Keothavong, also of Britain, was beaten in the quarter-finals by Poland's Marta Domachowska, who lost out to Baltacha in the semis.