First it was the astonishing victory over Kim Clijsters, in none other than the last match of the three-time US Open champion’s single career, and now 18-year-old Laura Robson followed it up with an upset of another Grand Slam champion, Li Na, 6-4 6-7(5) 6-2 in the third round of the US Open.
It’s amazing how Robson, the youngest player in the Top 100, didn’t lose her spirit after losing the second-set tiebreak, and neither did she crumple with anger when a poor line call was made against her. At 2-2 in the third set, on Li’s serve, Robson earned a break point and even though her return was right on the baseline, the judges thought it was out, and after the challenge showed Robson was right, the point had to be replayed. Robson lost the replayed point and the next one, but amazingly she managed to get back to break points and finally take her opponent’s serve, as deserved. After that, the young Brit went on a roll, winning all the remaining games and taking the match on the first match point.
What a run for Robson this US Open! She had never been past the second round of a major and now she’s in the fourth round with her first Top 10 victory under her belt. In the upcoming encounter yet another Grand Slam champion is awaiting her, actually title defender, Samantha Stosur. (photo: © Neal Trousdale)
Great for Laura, great for the WTA tour, great for GB (in that order). A great talent, great young player, great, and yet greatly unassuming, gal. All in all, well… great. Here’s to hoping she kicks a few more big arses around. You go, Laura, you laid-back tough cookie, you.
Incredible win for Laura! Beating Clijsters was impressive but beating Li is HUGE! I was so impressed with how she stayed composed out there and that her serve was a weapon for her and not a liability. Against Stosur, who knows what could happen?!