Back problem forces Baltacha to quit match

ELENA Baltacha managed just three games of her second-round match at the Internationaux de Strasbourg against Anastasia Rodionova before being forced to retire.

The British No 1 was 2-1 up in the first set when she called a halt to proceedings.

The 26-year-old Scot had been upbeat after Tuesday's straight-sets win over Sorana Cirstea, saying it was the best she had ever felt on clay. And she was annoyed about being unable to extend her run because of back spasms. "It's very frustrating," said Baltacha. "I woke up this morning and straight away I knew there was a problem. I gave it a go but there was no way I could continue. With so many big tournaments coming up it's better not to take any chances."

Baltacha is optimistic she will be fit to compete in the French Open. "The good news is I've got five or six days to recover and when I've had this problem in the past that's been enough," she said. "I'm pretty optimistic about Roland Garros."

• American Wayne Odesnik, 24, has been banned for two years by the International Tennis Federation for violating doping rules by possessing human growth hormone.