Elena Baltacha had to change her flight home for the fifth time after continuing her superb run at the Australian Open.

But the modest 21-year-old will not be blowing any of her biggest-ever pay-day on an upgrade to first class despite securing her place in the last 32 in Melbourne.

For the second match in succession the British number one recovered from a set down to beat a higher ranked player. On Monday it was world number 66 Katarina Srebotnik, on Wednesday it was the turn of world number 115 Stephanie Cohen-Aloro to crumble under Baltacha's onslaught.

The typically gutsy 2-6 6-3 6-1 victory on court six was Baltacha's fifth in six days after battling through three rounds of qualifying, and makes her the first British woman into the third round here since Clare Wood in 1991.

It also ensures her biggest pay day of £18,792 - only £4,000 less than she earnt in the whole of 2004 - and her highest world ranking, a leap of around 60 places from 185th to inside the top 130 already guaranteed.

Victory over veteran Italian Silvia Farina Elia tomorrow would also set up a probable clash with Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova in the fourth round, but Baltacha is keeping her feet firmly on the ground.

''I'll have to change my flight now for the fifth time but I think I'll stick with economy,'' the Kiev-born right-hander joked.

''It still hasn't sunk in. I'm really delighted.

"I was so tired today, it was really hurting, but I thought if you just keep fighting anything is possible.

''Now I can really relax and have fun.

"The matches I've had so far I knew I had a chance but I know it's going to be much tougher now.''

Baltacha will certainly not be able to afford such a poor first set against Farina Elia as she suffered yesterday, a total of 22 unforced errors contributing to her downfall.

Cohen-Aloro, who had beaten compatriot and 1995 champion Mary Pierce in the first round, should have taken advantage and moved in for the kill, and world number 19 and 15th seed Farina Elia is unlikely to be so generous.

First of all, Baltacha must try and get a good night's sleep.

''I haven't been sleeping that great,'' admitted Baltacha, who this time last year was winning £260 for reaching the semi-finals of a tournament in Hull as she began her comeback from a serious liver problem.

''My mind just can't slow down and shut down. But I'm sure I will be sleeping tonight.

''Obviously I've got another match so I just need to try and get as much rest as I can and relax.''

Baltacha should at least have one advantage over her experienced opponent, in the shape of the sizeable British contingent in the crowd.

''There were a lot of Scots out there and that was really nice with the Saltire and everything,'' added Baltacha, whose father Sergei played football for Ipswich and now works for the Scottish Football Association.

''There were a lot of people there supporting me and I thought that was really nice. I think they've really come out for Tim (Henman) and Greg (Rusedski), but I think it's an extra bonus for them to see a female in the third round.''

Meanwhile, Svetlana Kuznetsova put the furore surrounding her reported failed drugs test behind her as she thrashed France's Marion Bartoli yesterday.

The US Open champion, who looks certain to escape sanction even if a positive test for the stimulant ephedrine is confirmed, dropped just two games in the second-round clash on the Margaret Court arena