Laura Robson is a player that always raises her level on the big occasions. She proved it at last year's US Open, sending Kim Clijsters into retirement, stunning red-hot Na Li, before eventually succumbing to former champion, Sam Stosur, in the last 16th. She did it again in January, overcoming former Wimbledon champion, Petra Kvitova, in the second round of the Australian Open, before losing to fellow teen sensation, Sloane Stephens, in her next match. Nevertheless, the pressure is never higher for than at Wimbledon, her home major.
With the hope of a nation resting on the shoulder, the former girl's champion once again showed her mental toughness this year. To debut her 2013 Wimbledon campaign, an inspired Robson shocked world No.10, Russian Maria Kirilenko, 6-3,6-4. Following an easy victory over Colombian Mariana Duque-Marino, she showed great fighting spirit to come back from the brink and defeat New Zealand's Marina Erakovic 1-6,7-6,6-3 in the third round. Her dream of reaching her first Grand Slam quarterfinal was eventually crushed by Estonian Kaia Kanepi, who won a two-setter to spoil the British party.
With the hope of a nation resting on the shoulder, the former girl's champion once again showed her mental toughness this year. To debut her 2013 Wimbledon campaign, an inspired Robson shocked world No.10, Russian Maria Kirilenko, 6-3,6-4. Following an easy victory over Colombian Mariana Duque-Marino, she showed great fighting spirit to come back from the brink and defeat New Zealand's Marina Erakovic 1-6,7-6,6-3 in the third round. Her dream of reaching her first Grand Slam quarterfinal was eventually crushed by Estonian Kaia Kanepi, who won a two-setter to spoil the British party.
Laura's climb to the top started after last summer's London Olympics where she partnered Andy Murray to win the silver medal in the mixed doubles. The experience proved the turning point in her career so far and the young Brit is making small, but consistent steps towards fulfilling her huge potential. She may lose her focus from time to time, especially in the smaller tournaments, but when given a tough task she is as dangerous as you can get. I believe in Laura. Her greatest strength rests not so much her solid groundstrokes, but more in her ability to deliver on those big moments against the toughest opponents. I predict this quality will take her far. At only 19, she has plenty of time to work on the other aspects of her game. Once that gets done, she will be very hard to stop.
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| Laura Robson's dream of reaching her first major quarterfinal was crushed by Estonian Kaia Kanepi who won a tight two-setter to spoil the British party at Wimbledon. At only 19, Laura is already showing signs of a great future champion. |
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| At the tender age of 14, Robson announced herself as a name to remember, winning the 2008 Wimbledon girl's singles crown. |
photos: GETTY IMAGES
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