Baltacha

It was on Henin's second serve where Baltacha really suffered, the former champion scoring seven winners out of eight.

Australian Open 2011: Elena Baltacha trails in Justine Henin's wake 2011

Henin threatened to stroll home when she went 40-0 up on her serve in the seventh game but Baltacha made her work for it all the way.

Australian Open 2011: Elena Baltacha trails in Justine Henin's wake 2011

British eyes will swing to Andy Murray, Heather Watson and Elena Baltacha in the second round of the French Open on Thursday, but the buzz around Roland Garros is centred on the collision on Friday of Novak Djokovic, the man of the moment, and Juan Martín del Potro, who was similarly lauded before injury felled him in his pomp a year ago.

French Open 2011: Andy Murray revels in Britain's three steps to heaven 2011

In her ninth visit to Melbourne, the former title-holder Maria Sharapova is the only other left in the women's field started a prohibitive favourite against Baltacha, rated 55th in the world and in the main draw here for the fifth time, twice reaching the third round.

Australian Open 2011: Elena Baltacha trails in Justine Henin's wake 2011

Baltacha went to the net just twice, Henin half a dozen times, and it was clear where the aggression was coming from.

Australian Open 2011: Elena Baltacha trails in Justine Henin's wake 2011

Baltacha, one of the self-parodied "old biddies" of British tennis at 27, was delighted to acclaim Watson as, "the new kid on the block".

French Open 2011: Andy Murray revels in Britain's three steps to heaven 2011

Perhaps not since Les Trois Mousquetaires rollicked through these parts have three adventurers been such jolly ambassadors of optimism as Murray, Watson and Baltacha.

French Open 2011: Andy Murray revels in Britain's three steps to heaven 2011

Alex Bodganovic and Elena Baltacha will also hope for an invitation and try to take advantage of the home crowd.

Watching the 2012 Olympic Games: Tennis | Tom Hamilton 2011

Baltacha is in the same quarter of the draw as Watson but dare not think of a dream domestic clash.

French Open 2011: Andy Murray revels in Britain's three steps to heaven 2011

Serving for the match, Henin hit long to give Baltacha hope; Baltacha could not control a wide forehand and the end beckoned; a challenge went against her for 15-30, then it was 15-40 and a glimmer of life for Baltacha – but Henin dragged up something extra for deuce, Baltacha's challenge of a call failing.

Australian Open 2011: Elena Baltacha trails in Justine Henin's wake 2011