WIMBLEDON 2010: Anne Keothavong blows it again

DIFFERENT day, same story as another British women’s player squandered a winning position to come crashing down at Wimbledon's first hurdle.

BLOW: Anne Keothavong is out of Wimbledon at the first round stage again - the eighth time in ten attempts she has failed to win a first round match at the All England Club (Getty Images)

Former national number one Anne Keothavong looked to be cruising into the second round for only the third time in ten attempts after seizing a 4-0 lead in the decisive final set.

But she lost six games in succession as fiery Australian Anastasia Rodionova produced a storming comeback to win 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.

Last year Keothavong reached a career high ranking of 48 but nine months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury has dropped her to world number 155 - and this performance won't help her bid to rise again.

She won the first set but became increasingly frustrated during the second as her rival, ranked 81 places above her, rallied back into contention.

Keothavong grew increasingly angry at a series of calls, berating officials and fuming at one lineswoman: "Oh my God, what are you doing lady? That was so far out!"

After another call went against her, she added: "That was rubbish".