British juniors close in on historic final

Elena Baltacha and Anne Keothavong remained on course for a first-ever all-British girls' singles final here yesterday after they both showed power and resilience to progress in three sets through their respective quarter-finals. Britain has not had a semi-finalist in the event since 1984, when Annabel Croft went on to win the title.

Baltacha, the highest seed now left in the event at No 6, sealed her semi-final place by beating the No 4 seed, Svetlana Kuznetsova, of Russia, 7-5, 6-7, 9-7. She now faces the No 8 seed, Angelique Widjaja, of Indonesia, for a berth in the final. Keothavong, seeded No 9, came from a set behind to eventually overpower Anna Bastrikova of Russia, 3-6, 7-6, 7-5. She now faces the No 15 seed, Dinara Safina, of Russia.

"It felt absolutely unbelievable," said Baltacha, who was eliminated from the senior event in the first round by Nathalie Dechy of France. "I knew she would be a tough opponent to beat and that if I wanted to do it I would have to give more than 100 per cent. I did, and it feels superb. There is still a lot to learn but I also learned new things out there. I learned I can really dig in when I have to, and I can come up with what is needed."

Baltacha's biggest weapon is her serve. It was measured at 118mph during her Centre Court match against Dechy, which makes it the third fastest seen in any of the women's events at the Championships this year. Only the Williams sisters have been faster. Although it was utilised to good effect yesterday, it was attitude and nerve that stood out.

"When I was 4-1 down in the third set, I told myself just to keep calm and I would get back into it," Baltacha said. She did, first by breaking her opponent in the seventh game of the third set, then by keeping cool when within two points of defeat in the 12th game, and then by breaking and serving out in the last two games.

"I have improved so much in the last year it is scary," Baltacha said. "But Wimbledon this year has been the best of all. Playing on Centre Court, playing some of my best tennis today, all of it. In the semi-final, even if I lose, I won't mind as long as I am giving 100 per cent. I am taking it one match at a time. One point at a time, in fact."

Keothavong was equally happy with her victory, which she said was a result "purely of determination and grit". Keothavong's result – which came after a poor first set, a tense second, and a third in which she failed to convert two match points before stepping up her aggressive play – was achieved despite a thigh problem sustained on Wednesday. She received treatment last night and hopes to be fit for today's match. "To have two British girls in the semis, what can be better than that?" she said afterwards. "Apart from four British girls, that is."

It is probably safe to say that despite yesterday's successes, there is still some way to go before the latter scenario unfolds. But some credit is still due to the Lawn Tennis Association, which Baltacha and Keothavong both acknowledge has helped them enormously.

Ken Skupski, the only Briton left in the boys' singles at the start of play yesterday, was beaten in his quarter-final, 6-2, 7-6, by Philipp Petzschner of Germany.