ANNE Keothavong was left to reflect on what might have been after narrowly failing to reach the third round of a grand slam for the second time in her career.

The 27-year-old started well but ran out of steam against 30th seed Andrea Petkovic, eventually going down 2-6 7-5 6-0 in round two of the Australian Open.

Defeat was hard on Keothavong who made her higher-ranked opponent look distinctly ordinary for a set and a half before Petkovic finally found her range.

And afterwards the Londoner admitted it was disappointing not have taken the opportunity when it presented itself.

“No doubt I had my chances in this match. For a set and a half I definitely felt I was playing some good tennis,” she said.

‘‘I really did what I intended to do out there and took my game to her and was hitting out a bit more.

‘‘But it got close and I felt like I had to win that match in two sets.

‘‘I’ve played Andrea before.

When she’s got a bit of momentum and confidence she’s a tough player to pin down.’’ Keothavong felt her chances of victory evaporated when she allowed the German to escape from a tricky situation at 5-5 in the second set having won the first courtesy of a break in the fifth game.