Baltacha Speaks of 'Best Year' In Career | Thebigtip

In an era when elite-level British tennis players are an increasingly rare commodity, Elena Baltacha continues to fly the flag for the UK.

Baltacha, who was born in the Ukraine, moving to Ipswich in 1989, will end 2011 as the only British woman in the Top 50 on the official rankings board – for the second year running.

To put that achievement in perspective; the last UK female to maintain a place in the upper echelons of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) for two consecutive years was Grand Slam winner, Jo Durie, in the eighties. People who bet online will be keeping an eye on her progress.

Baltacha's compatriots, Laura Robson, Heather Watson, and Anne Keothavong, stand at 133, 89, and 83, respectively, though it is hoped that teenager, Robson, will break into the Top 100 before the end of the year.

"My big goal for the year was to defend the ranking points I had, and keep my ranking up", Baltacha said. The 14-year veteran of the sport said that placing in the Top 50 was a "really big achievement" that completed the "best year of my career, no question".

Baltacha's success on the WTA rankings comes on the back of a defeat t an event in Pontiers, France. The Brit lost 6-7 (3/7), 4-6 to Japanese player, Kimiko Date-Krumm, in the final of the Internationaux Feminins de la Vienne. Fans of tennis betting will have been impressed.

However, after reaching the second round at the four Grand Slams, and claiming the trophy at the AEGON Nottingham Challenge, in June, Baltacha had already racked up enough points to insulate her position on the leaderboard.

Baltacha says that she now has a eight week training program to complete. "I can't wait because I know what a great opportunity I've got next year," the player said.