I can beat all of the top girls, says Anne Keothavong

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Keothavong became the first British women to reach the US Open second round for 11 years, after beating American qualifier Alexa Glatch 6-2, 6-2, yesterday.

She has risen to No87 in the rankings and has her eyes set on breaking into the top 50 and will get close to that target if she can defeat Italy's 25th seed Francesca Schiavone.

The 24-year-old Londoner made a significant statement with her Flushing Meadows debut win over Glatch and another victory could earn a third-round clash with Elena Dementieva, the Olympic singles champion.

"I don't think the gap to where I am to where the top girls are is as big as I thought," she said.

"I am constantly testing myself against the better players and I do believe I can build on my ranking from where I am and, hopefully, break into the top 50." Keothavong had little trouble in easing past an opponent 179 places lower than her in the rankings and said: "I'm obviously pleased with the result. I thought I played a good solid match.

"I feel I'm definitely on the right path. I am moving forward and feeling confident. I have practised with a lot of the top girls and I can stay with them. The difference is in the mind at this level. We can all hit forehands and backhands but most of it is in the head.

"I am definitely looking at the Schiavone match as one I can win. She will be tough but it would be nice to get through.

"But I am no Federer or Nadal and I'm just looking at one match at a time."

Andy Murray added his support to Keothavong and praised her part in improving the women's game in Britain. He said: "It's getting better slowly and it's great that she won her first match. I am sure that will move her ranking up and give her some confidence."

Second seed Jelena Jankovic defeated 16-year-old American wild card CoCo Vandeweghe 6-3, 6-1, but tenth seed Anna Chakvetadze was the biggest women's casualty on the first day, losing 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 to fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova.