The US Open run of Laura Robson may have ended at the hands of defending champion Samantha Stosur in the fourth round, but the 18-year-old Brit’s success in New York was such a confidence booster that she can’t wait to challenge “the top girls” at the upcoming tournaments, including the next year’s Australian Open.
After taking out Kim Clijsters, three-time US Open champion and one of the best players ever, then Li Na, last year’s French Open champion, Laura fell to Stosur 6-4 6-4, but only after saving eight match points! Not only was this a huge achievement for her, but also for her country, who hadn’t had a WTA player in a Grand Slam round of 16 since 1998.
Despite the lifted confidence, Laura is yet to embrace her increased celebrity status. On the morning of her match with Stosur, in her hotel there was a camera crew waiting for her, and she herself got excited thinking that there was some famous person in the hotel!
Robson believes that Asian courts will suit her well and is now heading to Guangzhou, China, to be followed by Tokyo, Beijing and Osaka.
How much of Robson’s success can be attributed to her new coach, the intense Zeljko Krajan, who joined Robson’s team after his short recent cooperation with Jelena Jankovic and Dominika Cibulkova? According to Robson, a lot, especially his specific tactics. On the other hand, Krajan believes that Robson has limitless potential and one of his tasks is to open her eyes and show her how much she has.
At No.89, Robson is the youngest player in the Top 100, while after the US Open her ranking is expected to rise to about No.75. (photo: Moo’s Tennis Blog)
Innocence at age of 18 is so sweat 🙂 Let’s hope that she will not be another Melanie Oudin or Alize Cornet because she has talent.
i will begin to track her career with great interest. By no means should Ms. Robson be disappointed with her run. The second week of a major at age 18 and ousting 2 slam winners in the process.