Robson’s tears after Brits lose Fed Cup clash
TEARFUL Laura Robson admits she is “devastated” after failing to prevent Sweden claiming a 3-0 victory over Britain in tennis’s Fed Cup yesterday.
The 18-year-old, a late replacement for the injured Elena Baltacha, lost 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 to Sofia Arvidsson as Britain missed out on promotion to World Group II.
Robson broke down at courtside following the defeat in Boras, which means Judy Murray’s team will remain in the Euro/Africa Zone Group I qualifying pool.
“I’m pretty upset but my team-mates are proud of me,” she said. “Maybe in a few days I’ll think it was a pretty good effort but right now I’m devastated.”
Arvidsson sped into a 4-0 lead and took the first set but gutsy Robson fought back to level the match before losing a tight deciding set.
She added: “In Fed Cup you’re not just playing for yourself, you’re playing for your country, and all the emotion that built up on court just came through.”
Former Wimbledon junior champion Robson was handed her singles debut in the competition after Baltacha struggled for fitness in her straight-sets defeat to Johanna Larsson on Saturday, when Anne Keothavong also lost to Arvidsson.