Baltacha opens with Ishizu victory

The British duo Elena Baltacha and Laura Robson are both one win away from qualifying for the main draw of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.

Baltacha, the British No 1, saw off home youngster Sachie Ishizu 6-4, 6-2, at the WTA Tour Premier event. Baltacha, who broke into the world's top 50 this month, said: "I really had to step it up and I did that, plus the difference in experience helped me a little bit as well."

Robson pulled off one of her best victories with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 success against world No 57 Anastasija Sevastova. The 16-year-old meets either Kirsten Flipkens or Simona Halep tomorrow while Baltacha takes on Hungary's Greta Arn.