I won't be Eaton by fear, says Chris ahead of biggest game of his career

13 April 2012

Qualifier Chris Eaton insists he will stay relaxed as he bids to make it into the third round of Wimbledon today.


The 20-year-old - ranked 661 in the world - will take on Russian 25th seed Dmitry Tursunov on Court One aiming to continue the momentum on his grand slam debut.

However, the young Briton - who still lives with his parents in Surrey - does not intend to get carried away with the hype just yet.

Outsider: Great Britain's Chris Eaton

'I am just still trying to keep it low key, and I don't really feel the pressure at the moment,' said Eaton, who went to the same school as former British number one Tim Henman.  

'It is not like I am expected to win the next match, but I expect myself to put in another great performance. 

'I am quite a relaxed guy. I like to stay relaxed on the court and just let my personality and my tennis deal with everything else.'

Away support: Dmitry Tursunov of Russia will not have the support of the fans when he takes on Chris Eaton

Eaton hopes to use the partisan crowd to his advantage.  

He said: 'If they are enjoying themselves, I am going to enjoy myself, and if I am enjoying myself, I am going to play some good tennis.' 

Doubles trouble: Eaton and Alexandra Slabinsky shake hands with the Bryan brothers after their defeat

British women's number one Anne Keothavong intends to make the most of home support when she takes on defending champion Venus Williams in the first match on Centre Court. 

The 24-year-old has broken into the top 100 and was rewarded for her continued progress with a glamour second-round tie against the American number seven seed.  

But the Hackney-born player maintains she has to focus on playing the game rather than the occasion.  

'I have got nothing to lose and it is an exciting opportunity for me,' said Keothavong.   'I feel like the more support - if everyone can get behind me - the better.  

'I am just going to keep doing what I am doing and just try to stay relaxed, as focused as possible and try to treat it as another match.'  

Keothavong became the last remaining British women in the singles after wild card Elena Baltacha yesterday lost in straight sets to China's Zheng Jie.  

'I really do believe I will break into the top 100. That's definitely my main goal now,' said the 24-year-old Baltacha, ranked 158 in the world.

'I've got the weapons, I just need to improve my consistency. I've got the big shots but my serving needs to get better.  

'But these are exciting times. I'm looking at this as a very positive experience and if I can improve, I'll be in the top 100.'  

Elsewhere today, British men's number one Andy Murray continues his quest to become the first home winner in 72 years when he takes on Belgian Xavier Malisse in the second match on Centre Court.


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