Elena Baltacha has insisted she is good enough to be a top 100 player as she became the only British woman through to the second round at Wimbledon after a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over world No33 Alona Bondarenko of the Ukraine.

It was a disastrous day for the rest of our home-grown singles players as Anne Keothavong, the top British woman, failed to win a set and there were also defeats for Georgie Stoop, Katie O'Brien, Alex Bogdanovic, Joshua Goodall and Dan Evans, while Mel South, Laura Robson and James Ward all lost on the opening day.

That leaves only Andy Murray and the 25-year-old Baltacha, who will cherish her fifth win at Wimbledon, where she famously beat South African Amanda Coetzer in 2002 to reach the third round.

“I'd say this is my best win at Wimbledon,” she said. “When I beat Coetzer, she was probably on her way out. I think she pretty much retired that year or the next year.”

Baltacha, who started the tournament as the world No106 but should now climb back into the top 100 as a result of this win, did not get on court until 7pm last night and at first she struggled in the gathering gloom — failing to put up much of a fight in the first set.

But the vociferous support of the crowd seemed to settle Baltacha while having the opposite effect on Bondarenko, who allowed the home hope to come back into the match thanks to a series of unenforced errors.

The crowd again provided a vital lift in the third set after Baltacha twice went a break up only to be pegged back to 2-2 and then 4-4 — and roared the hope home as she closed the set with the aid of some powerful serves.

Baltacha, who was handed a wildcard to play at this year's tournament, said: “It was lovely. Everyone was getting up and clapping. I had goose pimples pretty much everywhere. It was really difficult to contain my emotions, but I think I did a good job of that.

“Now I'll be in the top 100 in the world, and probably in the main draw for the US Open.

“I knew at the same time where I am with my tennis so there was nothing for me to lose and everything for me to gain. I have improved in my game and knew that I would go forwards whatever happened.”

The Briton's immediate reward is a second-round clash against Kirsten Flipkens, who knocked out 30th seed Agnes Szavay of Hungary. Baltacha said: “I've beaten Flipkens twice so I've got an opportunity, without a doubt.”

Of the nine defeated Britons on the first two days, 21-year-old Stoop could take most pride in her performance after pushing seventh seed Vera Zvonereva all the way in an exciting three-setter that spanned two days.

“I think there's a lot of positives I can take back to the drawing board,” said the world No185.
“I think to be here next year is a massive goal of mine and hopefully on my own ranking.”