Baltacha’s first top 10 wins came this year — beating Li Na at Indian Wells and Eastbourne. She was the first British woman to beat a top 10 player in more than a decade.
“In the three weeks off after Wimbledon, one of the things I worked on with my coach was trying to expose my opponent, then run around and finish with a forehand,” said Baltacha, her country’s only top 100 player. “It’s really paying off. I’m confident I can hit a big forehand when the situation comes up. I’m delighted with how I’m playing.”
Schiavone, who is now 1-3 since winning her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, was gracious in defeat to Baltacha in the pair’s first meeting.
“She served very well and played well at the most important moments,” the 30-year-old Italian said. “I didn’t play so well, so I’m a little bit upset, but it can happen.”
Baltacha will face German sixth seed Andrea Petkovic for a place in the semi-finals.
■CROATIA OPEN
AFP, UMAG, Croatia
Heavy rain washed out the entire second round program at the Croatia Open on Thursday.
The four matches were rescheduled for yesterday before the quarter-finals get underway.
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