Tennis-Wimbledon-Dismal day for Brits as six knocked out

By Kylie MacLellan

LONDON, June 23 (Reuters) - British number one Anne Keothavong broke down in tears after losing at Wimbledon on Tuesday when asked if she had let people down on a day that saw six local players knocked out of the tournament. In her ninth visit to the All England Club, 25-year-old Keothavong -- who has never got beyond the second round -- lost 7-5 6-2 to Austrian Patricia Mayr, despite being ranked 29 places above the Wimbledon newcomer.

"I feel like I've let myself down more than anything... Wimbledon is such a special tournament to me," said Keothavong.

"This year, especially, I just felt... I've overcome so much just to get where I am," she added, choking back tears and turning her head away before halting the news conference to leave the room for a few minutes and regain her composure. Earlier, fellow Briton Katie O'Brien lost 6-2 5-7 6-4 to Czech Iveta Benescova, while Georgie Stoop went out 7-6 4-6 6-4 to Russian Vera Zvonareva.

"You can't guarantee the results at the end of the day," said Keothavong. "But I think you can definitely guarantee that all the British girls have tried, you know, 110 percent."

ONLY FEMALE

Elena Baltacha bucked the trend, beating Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine in three sets in fading light to secure her place as the only British female left in the competition.

"I knew I was the last one going on," she told reporters. "I was the last hope and I'm chuffed I managed to pull it out of the bag."