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Elena Baltacha to play for Scots at Commonwealth Games

Elena Baltacha
Baltacha, who turned 27 on Saturday, has had a fine season so far

British number one Elena Baltacha has been named in Scotland's tennis team for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The world number 56, who celebrated her 27th birthday on Saturday, is joined in the squad by Mhairi Brown, Colin Fleming, Jamie Murray and Jocelyn Rae.

Scotland's team for Delhi is the first to be selected for a senior Commonwealth Games.

The tennis competition will take place at the RK Khanna Tennis Stadium from 4-10 October.

Baltacha, whose recent fine form earned her the Clydesdale Bank Athlete of the Month Award for July, is joined in the team by 28-year-old doubles specialist Brown, with whom she reached the final of the inaugural Commonwealth Youth Games in Edinburgh in 2000, losing to England.

Team Scotland chef de mission Jon Doig said: "Elena clearly enjoyed her experience at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2000 along with Mhairi Brown and we hope she will be similarly be in the mix for the medals in Delhi."

Given the extreme pressures of the professional circuit, we are delighted that players like Elena, Colin and Jamie have made the commitment to play for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games Scotland's
Michael Cavanagh

The 19-year-old Rae made it through to the final round of Wimbledon singles qualifying this year and will hope to benefit from the experience of her team-mates when she makes her competitive debut for Scotland in Delhi.

The team is completed by doubles specialists Colin Fleming and Jamie Murray.

Fleming made his Davis Cup debut for Britain last year on home soil in Glasgow, following up that honour with tournament wins in the St Petersburg and Metz internationals.

Murray, brother of world number four Andy, will be looking to recapture the form that led to numerous international titles in 2007 and 2008, including the mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 2007 with Jelena Jankovic.

Michael Cavanagh, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, added: "It is always exciting to welcome a new sport to Team Scotland and we are delighted to have the tennis players now confirmed.

"Given the extreme pressures of the professional circuit, we are delighted that players like Elena, Colin and Jamie have made the commitment to play for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games."



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see also
Scots choose Games Sevens squad
11 Aug 10 |  Scottish


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