At the previous Grand Slam, the 2012 US Open, Laura Robson made it to the fourth round by upsetting Li Na and Kim Clijsters on the way, and now she’s through to the third round of the Australian Open, having taken out Wimbledon champion and eighth seed Petra Kvitova 2-6 6-3 11-9 in a match that finished after midnight local time.
Kvitova finished the match in which, according to her own words, her serve was worse than ever, and 18 double faults surely confirm the Czech’s resentment at herself, although 18 aces did provide a good counter-balance. In the third set Kvitova built a 3-0 lead, playing the best tennis of the match, but the 18-year-old Robson then broke her three times to go up 6-5. Kvitova broke back again and a few upcoming games went with serve until Robson again took her opponent’s serve and held to love to advance to the third round of a Grand Slam for the second time in her career.
The new face of Adidas by Stella McCartney next plays Sloane Stephens for a chance to avenge her last week’s Hobart loss to the American 19-year-old. It’s been their only career meeting so far. (photo: © Neal Trousdale)
Funny went to sleep not expecting to wake up and find out that match between Kvitova and Robson hadn’t finish. I got watch the whole third set. I am not shock Petra lost the match. Her year is starting poorly. I don’t know whethe the weather or she just not in good shape this year.
Gutsy effort from Robson, she didn’t look overawed at all. Kvitova far too talented and gifted not to get back to her best form