Anne Keothavong was introduced to tennis in the park by her parents aged 7, around the time Britain last had two women in the 3^rd round of the US Open. Today, Keothavong, who will be 25 this month, faced Elena Dementieva, Olympic Gold Medallist, on Louis Armstrong Court.

Keothavong put on an impressive performance in the blistering heat against Dementieva before succumbing 6-3, 6-4. In the second set Dementieva was constantly under pressure on her own serve as Keathavong created break point opportunities in all of Dementieva’s service games, in the seventh game she broke to go 4-3 up. 

Time and again, Keothavong showed the determination that has brought her to this level, hitting cross court forehands with such pace Dementieva was unable to defend, and delighting the crowd whose support for this Brit was palpable. They were willing her to win. Sadly, it was not to be, for along with the powerful cross court forehands and hard fought rallies, there were far too many balls in the net and break points not converted.

Finally, at 4-5, Keothavong served to stay in the match. At 0-40 it was matchpoint.  Keothavong saved two match points, returning one of Dementieva’s cross court forehands around the outside of the net post. 30-40 Keothavong served again, 3^rd matchpoint and Dementieva, world no 6, put an end to this young British women’s run at Flushing Meadows, leaving us in no doubt, however, that the future of British women’s tennis is on the rise.

After the match, Dementieva said “This was the first time we have met. She wasn’t afraid to hit the ball hard and to be very aggressive.  She’s got a good serve. Anne could be top 40 or even better”

Keothavong was frustrated by her performance.  'I caused her a few problems but it would have been nice to cause a few more,' she said. 'I felt I made too many errors and she played the big points better than me.'