Anne Keothavong ends losing run at Luxembourg Open

Anne Keothavong made the most of her lucky loser spot to reach the second round of the Luxembourg Open with victory over Kiki Bertens yesterday. The British No 3 had lost in the final round of qualifying to Vera Dushevina but was given a reprieve and proved too good for Dutchwoman Bertens, winning 6-2, 6-2.

It has been a timely return to form for Keothavong, who next meets top seed Roberta Vinci of Italy, after a winless run stretching back nine matches to Wimbledon in June.

She is ranked 83rd in the world but needs a strong finish to the season to stay in the top 100 because of her good results at this time last year, including a run to the semi-finals as a qualifier in Luxembourg.

Elsewhere, Sofia Arvidsson knocked Marion Bartoli out of the Kremlin Cup tennis, thrashing the Frenchwoman 6-3, 6-0 in the second round.