Keothavong slips to semi defeat in Warsaw

BRITISH number one Anne Keothavong's dreams of a first WTA tour final have been dashed after she went down to a straight sets semi defeat to Aloana Bondarenko in Warsaw.

FINAL HURDLE: British number one Anne Keothavong has failed to make first WTA final in Warsaw (Getty Images)

The 25-year-old made history by becoming the first British woman since Jo Durie at the 1983 French Open to reach a clay court semi- final since when she beat Ioana Olaru in the quarter finals.

But she had had no answer to her opponent's superior power from the baseline, losing 6-2, 7-5.

Keothavong, who also reached the semis in Auckland and Memphis earlier this year, struggled in the opening set after an early break of serve by Bondarenko.

And the second set began with six consecutive breaks of serve as both women struggled with the blustery conditions.

The 25-year-old Londoner managed to save three match points at 5-4 down but was broken immediately, and eventually went down 7-5.

"It certainly wasn't my best match," admitted Keothavong.

"However, it's been a great week for me and I'm pleased that I've made another semi-final, especially at a premier level and on clay.

"I can't be all disappointed. I have another match in Paris in a couple of days to think about."

But Keothavong will take little solace from the her French Open draw, which sees her up against world number one Dinara Safina when the tournament starts on Sunday May 24th.