FORMER British number two Shirli-Ann Siddall today stressed her delight at Elena Baltacha's breakthrough at Wimbledon, reports Phil Chard.

The Bournemouth tennis star has also highlighted Jane O'Donoghue and Anne Keothavong as two other young female Brits who could also make their mark on the world game.

Siddall, who has been back at Wimbledon this week after retiring from the professional game in 1998, said: "Elena's run to the third round was brilliant.

"The night when she won her first match, it was doing the rounds that the press were going to go berserk.

"They were going to criticise the LTA heavily the next day in the papers because there had been no British female winners this year.

"But Elena stopped it with that one win over Maria Vento-Kabchi.

"Unfortunately, British tennis isn't looking that good at the moment. There is hope, however, that Elena, Jane and Anne can come through.

"They are all only 18 and they have something there. Hopefully they can do it.

"Baltacha is particularly good and I think she has a bright future.

"Beating Amanda Coetzer in the second round will give her a big lift and boost her confidence enormously to compete regularly at that level."

Siddall, who reached the second round in the singles at Wimbledon three times in 1992, 1994 and 1995, believes it could be Tim Henman's year as well.

Dorset's all-time best player said: "It is like the football World Cup and England. If there is a chance for Tim, it is this year.

"Can Tim do it? I don't know the answer but I am like everyone else, I hope he can win it. Lleyton Hewitt will be the one to stop him. He is playing fantastically well and hasn't dropped a set yet."

Siddall, who pitted her wits against Martina Navratilova, Jennifer Capriati, Mary-Joe Fernandez, Helena Sukova and Ai Sugiyama, reached a career high world ranking of 181.

Indeed, Siddall - who represented Great Britain at Federation Cup, European Cup and Maureen Connolly Trophy level - was second only to Jo Durie in the British rankings at one stage.

A back injury and lack of enjoyment of the professional game forced Siddall to quit the WTA circuit five years ago at the early age of 23. Now a tennis coach at Esporta in Poole, Siddall takes every opportunity to return to Wimbledon to watch Britain's up and coming players.

Siddall will be hoping Henman, who meets the Brazilian Andre Sa in the quarter-final today, carries off the trophy if he reaches the men's final on Sunday.

The day before, however, Creekmoor-based Siddall has a big date of her own. She is marrying Nick Valentine at All Saints Church in Branksome Park.

Shirli-Ann Siddall has the joint-second best record for consistency among British women at Wimbledon in the last 11 years.

The West Hants Club protg played in five Wimbledon's from 1992 and 1997 and reached the second round on two occasions.

Only Karen Cross has a more consistent record since 1992. She has reached the third round once and the second round twice.

As a teenager, Siddall beat Valda Lake (GB) 2-6 6-4 6-3 before losing to Claudia Porwik (Ger) 6-4 6-2 in 1992. She lost to Jennifer Capriati (USA) 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-1 in 1993.

In 1994, Siddall defeated Christina Singer (Ger) 6-4 5-7 7-5 before losing to Kimiko Date (Jap) 6-2 6-0. She lost to Florencia Labat (Arg) 6-2 6-3 in 1995 and Helena Sukova (Czech Republic) 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 in 1997.

Our top girls in Wimbledon singles: 2002 Elena Baltacha (third round); 2001, Karen Cross (second round); 2000, Louise Latimer (2r); 1999, Cross, Latimer (2r); 1998, Sam Smith (4r); 1997, Cross (3r); 1996, Claire Taylor, Rachel Violet (2r); 1995: Jo Durie (2r); 1994, Shirli-Ann Siddall (2r); 1993, Taylor, Lorna Woodroffe (2r); 1992, Siddall (2r).