Elena Baltacha’s drawn-out contest ends in defeat

Elena Baltacha's rain-delayed match at the Hobart International which started on Tuesday, ended today with her losing 6-3, 6-4 to Italy's Roberta Vinci.

After yesterday's play was washed out, Baltacha resumed the second‑round match a set down to the world No39.

Although the British No1 lost in straight sets, given the events 1100miles away in flood‑hit Brisbane, she was able to keep the defeat in context.

Baltacha, ranked 55 in the world, said: "I don't think I've been at a tournament with so much rain, certainly not in Australia.

"To be honest, though, seeing the images of what's happening in Queensland you put everything in perspective. It's really not that bad, at the end of the day we're only playing a tennis match."

Baltacha began the tournament with a convincing win over the world No64, Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn.

She added: "I think I had a good week. I had a good victory over Tammie, she is a tricky player but I played well. And then today though I lost I thought I played some good stuff."