Reprieved Robson poised in Paris but Baltacha blitzed by Stosur
TEENAGER Laura Robson will be looking to succeed where British No1 Elena Baltacha failed yesterday when she begins her French Open campaign today in Paris.
Robson, who was yesterday handed a lucky loser spot after injury reduced the field, will meet 29th seed Anabel Medina Garrigues first on court six this morning.
The 18-year-old looked set to miss out on the main draw at Roland Garros after losing her final qualifying round match against Czech Karolina Pliskova. But the withdrawal of Silvia Soler-Espinosa with an ankle problem handed her a reprieve and a daunting tie with another Spaniard, clay-court specialist Medina Garrigues.
Her late qualification swelled Britain’s female contingent at the French Open to four, the highest for 21 years – although Baltacha was not to last long. The Scot crashed out to US Open champion and sixth seed Sam Stosur 6-4, 6-0 yesterday, her early tenacity crumbling as the Australian found another gear in the second set.
British men’s No1 Andy Murray plays his first-round match against Japan’s world No68 Tatsuma Ito tomorrow, while Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Li Na start their campaigns today.
There was a shock yesterday as American Andy Roddick crashed out at the first hurdle, losing in four sets to Frenchman Nicolas Mahut.
MONDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Men’s draw
N Djokovic (1) v P Starace
R Federer (3) v T Kamke
G Simon (11) v R Harrison
Women’s draw
L Na (7) v S Cirstea
A Radwanska (3) v B Jovanovski
A Medina Garrigues (29) v L Robson