Baker back on the court after illness

Published on Sunday 15 June 2008 21:58

JAMIE Baker will make a welcome return to the British tennis scene after serious illness when he takes to the court today at the Slazenger Open in Nottingham.

The 21-year-old Scot, who will face qualifier Samuel Groth in the first round, was enjoying one of the best periods of his career after following up his first victory in a Davis Cup match against Argentina in February with two Futures titles.

But he spent three days in intensive care in Florida after contracting the life-threatening virus Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura and has not played a tour match since March.

Alex Bogdanovic, 24, faces another Briton in James Ward after coming through three rounds of qualifying, while British No 5 Alex Slabinsky, 22, also received a wild card and takes on qualifier Vince Spadea.

British women's No 3 Elena Baltacha, meanwhile, suffered disappointment at the International Women's Open at Eastbourne when a back spasm injury finally curtailed her bid to qualify for a first-round place.

Wimbledon wild-card holder Baltacha is still confident she will be fit for the grand slam first round but had to retire after losing the first set 7-5 to world No 40, Bulgarian Tsvetetana Pironkova, having earlier beaten Kent left-hander Naomi Cavaday in straight sets.