Rueful Robson out after lead turns to loss
BRITISH teenager Laura Robson lamented a lost opportunity after squandering the chance to seal a sensational victory over former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone.
Robson lost 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 to the 24th seed after a medical time-out for Schiavone, with the former Wimbledon junior champion one set up and with break points in the second, proving to be the crucial turning point upon which Robson admits to conceding control of play.
“I thought I was in control of it, and then just made a few mistakes and let her get back into the match,” said the wildcard. “I definitely believed that I could win. I think I was just trying to go for too much because she was getting much more balls back and I was just trying to stay the aggressive player in the point, keep the rallies short.
“I’m really disappointed today. But she’s a grand slam champion and I am definitely closer to winning matches like this.”
Robson’s defeat was the solitary blemish on an otherwise successful day for Britain’s female competitors. Anne Keothavong and Elena Baltacha both qualified for the second round after respective victories over Spain’s Laura Pous-Tio and Karin Knapp of Italy, with Baltacha fighting back from a set down to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, and Keothavong winning 6-3, 6-3.
There were also wins for Petra Kvitova over Akgul Amanmuradova, Victoria Azarenka over Irina Falconi, and Serena Williams, who defeated Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
Men’s singles
R Federer [3] v F Fognini
N Djokovic [1] v R Harrison
R Sweeting v J Tipsarevic [8]
Women’s singles
M Sharapova [1] v T Pironkova
H Watson v J Hampton
A Hlavackova v K Clijsters