British pair's French Open hopes over

British preparations for the French Open took a familiar turn yesterday when Elena Baltacha suffered a disappointing defeat in the opening qualifying round, in three sets to Elise Tamaela of the Netherlands.

British preparations for the French Open took a familiar turn yesterday when Elena Baltacha suffered a disappointing defeat in the opening qualifying round, in three sets to Elise Tamaela of the Netherlands.

The Briton made a strong start before her opponent swept to a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 win. Baltacha was the only British woman in the qualifying draw. Her compatriot Alex Bogdanovic also lost, 6-2, 6-4 to France's Marc Gicquel in the second round.

Rafael Nadal, the young Spaniard of whom great things are expected at Roland Garros, is refusing to put himself under pressure. "I am going to enjoy myself. If I get to the final all the better, but if I don't it won't be a tragedy," he said.