Laura Robson

[cazza99]

A thread for discussing Laura Robson

[JAMES4578]

Good to see that Laura has qualified for Bejing after overcoming Melinda Czink in a deciding breaker, though was 5-2 up in the 3rd before being pegged back. She will face 35th ranked Polona Hercog in the opening round with the winner facing Azarenka.

[Linda]

Blimey, she's got a tough draw!

[david1610]

Yes tough draw but qualifying in itself is good at this stage and getting another top fifty opponent!

[JAMES4578]

yes certainly true and let's hope Laura can azt least put up a good show in the 1st round and we'll take it from there!

[david1610]

The great thing about Laura is you cannot count her out against a top fifty player even at this stage of her career!

[JAMES4578]

True, unfortunately she lost to Hercog 6-4, 6-3 today and didn't quite recover from a slow start when she lost quite a few close games Battled back from 1-5 to 4-5 in the first set but couldn't quite keep that momentum going. Still encouraging signs lately.

[Helen40]

Yes, and she's had a tough few days, so if she had been fresh it would have been another story.

[Jan]

well done Laura for coming through qualifying - more points in the bag! Keep it up:):)

[david1610]

Well to get points and another top fifty match is good for ranking and experience.

[Helen40]

Anyone know whether Robbo's playing anywhere next week?

[david1610]

Wonder if Laura will be happy with her final end of year ranking?

[VamosVixs]

How stunning does Laura look?

At Breaking Dawn Premier tonight (http://twitter.com/?photo_id=1#!/TheSliceTweets/status/136916539394887680/photo/1)

[Linda]

I wouldn't have recognised her!

[VamosVixs]

She's very pretty. :)

[david1610]

How stunning does Laura look?

At Breaking Dawn Premier tonight (http://twitter.com/?photo_id=1#!/TheSliceTweets/status/136916539394887680/photo/1)
Laura Robes on!

[david1610]

So is Laura going to play mixed doubles at the Olympics and with whom? :)

[lankster2003]

So is Laura going to play mixed doubles at the Olympics and with whom? :)

She's only really got a history with Andy unlike Elena, Heather and Jocelyn who played with Ken, Ross and Colin respectively at Wimbledon.

At the moment I'm just hoping she is fit enough for Melbourne.

[david1610]

According to http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/nov/24/laura-robson-stress-fracture
which is dated end November.
Laura was due to train in the off-season in Las Vegas with Dareen Cahill and Gil Reyes but had the beginning of a stress fracture in her shin so it sounds like at best she will go into the AO without much off season prep.
She turns 18 this month and just hope her growing pains are over and she can stay free of injury this season and do herself justice and make a confident start to what I presume will be her first senior year (or is she still on the restricted programme of events she can enter for one more year?).

[JAMES4578]

Not an ideal start to the season, hopefully Laura will be ok as the year progresses.

[cazza99]

Australian website (http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/articles/2012-01-06/201201061325826888544.html)- Robson looks up and up

[david1610]

Australian website (http://www.australiaConnopen.com/en_AU/news/articles/2012-01-06/201201061325826888544.html)- Robson looks up and up
Confidence!:

“I’d made it to the final round of US Open quallies the last two years before that, so just to be able to qualify when we had to play two matches in one day because of (Hurricane Irene), it was a bit of a nightmare, so I was really happy.”

and:

"A good result at the Australian Open will set Robson on the path to achieving her season goal – qualification at the London 2012 Olympic tennis event at Wimbledon beginning in July. This will require a ranking within the top 60."

[cazza99]

Laura's qualifying match will be on a free live stream from the Ozzy Open website tonight.

http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/video/live.quals.html

[cazza99]

Ozzy Open site (http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/articles/2012-01-12/201201121326360050524.html) - Robson holds off Oudin fightback

[Alis]

Naomi Broady also won her match - well done girls!

[Jan]

great from both of them. :yahoo:

[david1610]

Well done Laura ... not sure why Oudin has dropped so much in the rankings... that is a good scalp for the future!

[-J-]

Well done Laura ... not sure why Oudin has dropped so much in the rankings... that is a good scalp for the future!well according to wiki

Oudin got her first win of the year at the 2011 Open GDF Suez (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Open_GDF_Suez) where she beat Vera Dushevina (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vera_Dushevina) 7–5, 5–7, 6–2. In the second round Oudin lost to Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia 6–4, 7–6. Having semi-final points to defend, Oudin's ranking dropped from No. 61 to No. 72. Oudin's next tournament was the Cellular South Cup in Memphis. She won her first round match against Anastasia Pivovarova of Russia 6–4, 6–0. In the second round she faced Russian Evgeniya Rodina, only to lose 6–1, 7–5. Oudin was unable to defend her quarter-final points and therefore saw her ranking fall from No. 72 to No. 81.

[RoastLamb]

Interesting report on Laura vs Melanie match from Tom Tebbutt's blog. (http://www.lovemeansnothing.ca/blog/the-qualies) Read about a third down.

[lankster2003]

Interesting report on Laura vs Melanie match from Tom Tebbutt's blog. (http://www.lovemeansnothing.ca/blog/the-qualies) Read about a third down.

Good read. Hope Vasek wins his match :)

[david1610]

Laura is also a firm favourite on the AO site itself to go by the News Section. Here is their report:
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/articles/2012-01-13/201201131326441589477.html

PS Well done Laura. Keep it going!
The Tom Tebbut report does seem to suggest that Laura is going to have to work on court mobility as much as she can to - this has been mentioned before.


PPS Oudin was a spectator at Heather's last qualifying match at Estoril last year.I was sat a few metres away and she kept being recognized. Must indeed be tough to have burst on the scene perhaps a bit too early for her own good.

[david1610]

Anyone awake. Great stream now for Laura's match on the AO site!!!
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/video/live.quals.html

Except the commie just wondered if she was the no. British player......

[david1610]

Early break thanks to a very, very lucky net chord. 2-0
Haven't seen Laura for ages and Kim is being interviewed so only getting snatches of play at the moment.
4-0 Goodness me. Did she always have such power!!
First set 6-1 She got to 5-0 before the other girl did anything about Laura's power.
Suspect second might be closer. The other girl was starting to find a strategy to deal with Laura. Just hope Laura can keep going. Very impressive so far.
C'mon Laura!

[david1610]

1-0 her opponent. Focus. Safe hold. C'mon Laura!
1-1 but I would like a break and hold before the other opponent gets any better. Laura slightly off the boil but nothing disastrous as long as she can stay in front.
Now it's Serena being interviewed with Laura 1-2 15-30. She has to focus now.
2-2 15-15 would be good for Laura to put the hammer down now. Oh .... Laura has to learn to move better on court..... she should have won that point.
3-3 easier hold for Laura. Time for..... C'mon Laura!
Eek 3-4 0-30 C'mon Laura! 0-40 15-40 And is broken!
Let's get it back. Otherwise the third could be very risky. I agree with the commies that the Ukranian has used her experience and has worked Laura's game out.
Breaks back to 15 thanks to a DF!
Now safe hold Laura. Use the scare to focus!
Much better serving. 5-5 C'mon Laura!
5-6 but Laura put pressure on her at 15-30. Now focus. C'mon Laura! Yes. held to love 6-6 here we go!
0-1 Laura to serve. C'mon Laura!
Yes 2-1 Now get at least one of her serves please!
3-1 Laura. DF 4-1 Laura.
Now concentrate. C'mon Laura!
5-1 change ends. One more serve from Laura. Stay focused! C'mon Laura! Net chord..... 6-1
Don't relax..... one more point..
5-2 next one please...

YES!!!!! Laura Robson makes her first AO main draw!
Well done!!

[david1610]

Interview with Laura:
How does it feel
Very good I am very happy.. second time qualified for GS .. means so much more than a wild card.
No expectations coming in... playing so well today.. icing on the cake.
Got a bit nervous... ormal... focused on one point at a time. Did not need 11 match points today...

I think my technique breaks down some times like everybody but something I have worked on...thousands of balls to get it irght. still working on it

My sister turned 27 ... she is getting a bit old....w e did not do much to celebrate so I think we will do something tonight!

[Jan]

Brilliant - well done Laura!! :cheer: :cheer:
She plays Jankovic in the first round - a tall order, but she did put up a good fight against her at Wimbledon in 2010. Let's hope she can do even better this time! :thumbup:

[cazza99]

Tennis Tipster (http://thetennistipster.blogspot.com/2012/01/australian-open-1st-round-jelena.html) - Australian Open 1st round - Jelena Jankovic v Laura Robson

"L Robson @ 5.50 to beat J Jankovic - Expect this price to drop before Monday. The British youngster is playing really well. her powerful groundstrokes and shot making have had her opponents in qualifying running around the court, often looking hopeless, if she can dominate the points then she will have a chance against Jankovic, who can easily get frustrated, especially if the crowd get behind the young Brit, believe me they will! Jankovic of course has plenty of experience and has an abundance of power to counter attack any shot making for Laura. However if things get tight Jelena's serve can drop to pieces and Robson will strike anything that bounces her way. Laura loves being the underdog and loves a challenge. She has already shown in qualifying that she is a great player, has 60 WTA points in her pocket and still has nothing to lose as a 17 year old. These two played at Wimbledon 2010 Jankovic winning 6-3 7-6. Robson in that match competed well and could have snuck that 2nd set on the TB. Her match with Sharapova at last years Wimbledon shows how much she has improved and she will be hugely motivated by the fact that a win over Jankovic will almost certainly gurantee her a WTA top 100 ranking. Jankovic could well run away with the match if she gets a good start, The Serbian will surely try to take advantage of the movement of Robson, especially drawing Laura into the net with drop shots etc. This should be a great match of raw talent from Laura Robson versus the tactical experience of Jelena Jankovic."

[JAMES4578]

Fabulous Laura has qualified and won all three matches in straight sets! of course another Brit with a tough encounter but Jelena can be vulnerable at times nowadays and if Laura an hit top form she certainly should have a chance here!

[david1610]

Yesterday her basic shots were very powerful and she could trade those with just about anyone. She was very naive when it came to the right shot selection when the other player brought her to the net, for example. She clearly has a mobility problem. She has had injury niggles the last two or three years.
If she can avoid the injury problems and then work on mobility and just become more "court savvy" with experience, there is a very exciting prospect here. I watched her last night (except when the stream cut away to interviews) and was really surprised at the power. If Jelena does not bring her tennis brain onto court, and Laura serves well, Laura at the least could make the sets very tight!
C'mon Laura!

[david1610]

Article on Laura prior to first round match
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jan/14/laura-robson-australian-open-tennis

[lankster2003]

I really think Laura can trouble Jelena. Can definitely see it going the three sets

[JAMES4578]

It will be tough but I think there is outside chance of an upset, if all goes to plan!

[-J-]

It will be togh but I think there is outside chance of an upset, if all goes to plan!wouldn't that be nice :yahoo:

[Jan]

YES PLEASE!!!!!!! Hope all you night birds will cheer Laura and the others on loudly! Hope to wake up to some good news!! :thumbup:

[JAMES4578]

Didn't see much of the match as had to leave for work but Laura could only win 2 games and from reports it seem she struggled with her serve and was misfiring, though Jelena gave little away. Expected much better considering their had been a breaker in their previous encounter.

[david1610]

Didn't see much of the match as had to leave for work but Laura could only win 2 games and from reports it seem she struggled with her serve and was misfiring, though Jelena have little away. Expected much better considering their had been a tiereak in their previous encounter.
Watched all the match. The usual story. Ground strokes to trouble even a player like Jelena. Good first serve and one two combination put away. Great. But.... not much more. Very little idea of constructing a point apart from using power to outposition an opponent. And lack of movement of course. Almost reminded me of the way Andy played against del Potro in those early matches a few years ago where he would deliberately put the ball in no man's land to make del Potro have to lumber after the ball, in vain - del Potro much improved on this now of course.
Give her a year on the professional tour at least before casting too many judgements, but I am starting to realise (gulp, don't shoot me) that Laura may not exactly have the highest IQ amongst the WTA players. She needs to learn movement and a tennis brain and time will tell how much her body and her mind will allow that. Still early days but about to be 18 so time for the chrysalis to see if it is going to become a wonderful butterfly...

[super8]

Here's Laura having a post-match rap:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHfdvT6hSFs

Go Laura!! Heather being a bit of a homegirl there too, showing some moves.

If you don't know the original song - here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4he79krseU


She sang this at the Fed Cup welcome meal as well..! She's so funny after singing it too..

[david1610]

Lost 6-3 6-1 to Dellacqua (seeded 20 in qualifying at Indian Wells).

[JAMES4578]

Yes a disappointing scoreline and I gather Laura's serve was a liability.

[Jan]

Laura just won her first round at Clearwater in 3 sets :clap:

[JAMES4578]

Gather she should have taken it 2 but nonetheless good to see Laura through!:cheer:

[david1610]

So pleased she got a W!

[karanga]

Well done Laura and good luck in her next match. :clap:

[Jan]

Sadly Laura lost to Zhang 5-7 7-6(8) 1-6 (from British tennis forum) - very very long match - over 3 hours apparently.

[JAMES4578]

A tough loss, but still a good effort, just a shame Laura faded in the end.

[Jan]

Laura's match in Miami has just come up on ls - earlier than expected

[david1610]

Laura's match in Miami has just come up on ls - earlier than expected
And it is against Czink who is ranked BELOW here, so a great chance. C'mon Laura!

[Alis]

She just lost the first set tie break 7-4 after fighting back to level the set. C'mon Laura!

[david1610]

And then faded away in the second. Although I still think it is unfair to judge too harshly at this stage of her development, she seems to raise her game to get a good W but then does not always hold it together the next match even against weaker opposition. Hope her coach is working on consistency. She had a real chance to quality for the first round proper of a Masters and that is such good experience.

Having said that, it is amazing how quickly she is catching Heather up. I suspect Laura will have the power to get into the top 100 quite easily. Then it will be the tennis guile and consistency or lack thereof that will determine just how high she does.

But well done for the previous victory and keep on learning!

[Sallydaisy]

ITF ($25k) Chaisso Switzerland
L32: (1) Laura Robson WR 123 v Qualifier

[Jan]

good news in a British Tennis tweet:
"Top seed @LauraRobson5 has won her 1st rd MD match in Chiasso, SUI, beating qualifier Kozlova (UKR) 57 64 63 and now plays Khromacheva (RUS)"
Well done Laura! :cheer:

[Maza1987]

Plays Khromacheva next. I'm not sure if it's possible to be the underdog when you are the number 1 seed and playing against a 16 yr old qualifier. Lol, but Irina will be tough.

P.S. I read somewhere that it was possibly raining, so I hope she didn't play indoors. That would defeat the whole point in coming here.

[Jan]

apparently Laura won 6-2 6-2 - good news!

[JAMES4578]

Well done Laura!

[david1610]

Laura lost 5-7 3-6 to No.8 seed Tatjana Malek of Germany in the quarters of the ITF Challenger in Chiasso, Switzerland. Malek has a ranking of 178 but was as high as 64 in September 2009.
According to http://www.laura-robson.net/?p=769
Did not know Laura had a web site, btw.

[DaveArneRiise]

Laura won her first qualfying match in Cannes beating Audrey BERGOT 6-3 6-0 , followed that up with a 6-3 7-5 win over Julie COIN

If she wins her next match then she is through to the main draw.

Baltacha, Watson and Anne all in the main draw!

[david1610]

Laura defeated Catalina Castano of Colombia 6-4 6-4 to advance to the main draw at the $100K+H Challenger in Cagnes-sur-Mer, France.

In the first round of the main draw, Laura will play world No.96 Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia. Laura has never played the 23-year-old before. This match will be played on Tuesday and is the fifth match on Court A and the schedule of play begins at 10.30 local time.
From the website

And tournament website (bonjour mes amis! :) ) http://www.opendecagnes.com/

Elena the number 1 seed! Anne 4 Laura playing tomorrow: (French time)



Not before 13:00

3// Patricia MAYR-SCHLEITNER (AUT) / Irina FALCONI (USA)

4// Severine BELTRAME (FRA) & Laura THORPE (FRA) /
Claire DE GUBERNATIS (FRA) & Alexia FERRAND (FRA)

5// Magdalena RYBARIKOVA (SVK) / Laura ROBSON (GBR)

[Jan]

Thanks David.
There's a thread for this tournament as we have 4 in the main draw!!
http://www.andymurrayfanforum.com/forums/showthread.php?987-ITF-%28-100K-H%29-Cagnes-Sur-Mer-France-Clay

[david1610]

Laura playing second round RG qualifying today against Laura Thorpe (FRA) - last on court today

[Jan]

Laura joins Hev in the fqr! :clap:

[patmoren]

Great5 win for Laura as she wasn't serving as well as usual. Won 7-5 7-6

[Alis]

Well done Laura - good luck for the final round.

[Jan]

Shame that Laura couldn't find a way past Pliskova, despite having 2 match points in the second set.
Still some good points from the week, and hopefully more to come on the green grass!!

[Linda]

Maybe not tough enough mentally?

[patmoren]

Laura kept Plitsova at bay until the very end. I think it is more lack of experience than mental strength.

[JAMES4578]

A pity didn't work out as Laura was nearly there, think she may have let the missed chances may have played on her mind but it was still a tight match. Sure she will build on this in the weeks ahead.

[super8]

Well, Laura is now in the French Open main draw as a lucky loser - as a result of an injury to Silvia Soler Espinosa.

She will be playing Anabel Medina Garrigues in round 01.

[JAMES4578]

yes, whilst it would've good for Laura to qualify in her own right, glad she is there! It is a tough match up but hopefully Laura can rise to the challenge!

[david1610]

Maybe not tough enough mentally?
I have thought that too Linda but to be fair I will wait until the end of her first full season on the WTA tour and see i.e. give her the benefit of the doubt.
Talking to Heather's mother this year, and particularly the girl she roomed with at Nick Bollie..... academy, they can see already just how useful the playing the top players has been to Heather. The same should be true for Laura so let's see if she can get tough through experience.
And a bit of slack for now though your thoughts are somewhat shared!

[david1610]

Laura is playing first tomorrow on court 6. local 11:00 start so 10:00 UK time.
Unfortunately, Medina Garrigues best slam is RG - the last time she went out in the first round was, erm, 2001.

Significantly she has twice won the doubles and made another two SFs i.e. SF or better, four times out of the last six years.

[Jan]

will be tough for Laura - but you never know!!

[Jan]

too much for Laura - but good experience for her. She did play some outstanding points at times. Serve let her down at times.
Looking forward to seeing her on the grass! :)

[JAMES4578]

Yes I heard that some of the games were close but unfortunately Laura had little to show for it. However, hopefully she'll learn from these experiences and play well on the grass!

[davech]

It sounds like it was a struggle for Laura today. I wouldn't say clay was her best surface anyway, so maybe it's understandable.

[cazza99]

It sounds like it was a struggle for Laura today. I wouldn't say clay was her best surface anyway, so maybe it's understandable.

She had break points in at least 2 games in the first set - so she wasn't so far off winning that set as the score suggested. She didn't get so many first serves in though.

[cazza99]

Following Laura's win in Eastbourne today she will be ranked in the top 100 :clap:

Chris Goldsmith ‏@TheTennisTalker

@GBtennis @laurarobson5 Will be ranked top 100 for the first time on Monday!

[Jan]

brilliant!!

[supergran]

Great news for Laura and GB Tennis. Well done.

[DaveArneRiise]

Laura will play Makarova in the next round. The Russian defeated the reigning Wimbledon champion Kvitova in the previous round so will be a tough match!

[Jan]

Laura lost to Makarova 4-6 5-7
still, plenty of points and hours on the grass. Hope she gets a kind draw at Wimbledon!

[JAMES4578]

Pity Laura went down of course but looks like it was a good effort!

[Jan]

Laura wins first set vs Schiavone 6-2 :)

[Sallydaisy]

Laura has played well and looks quite composed out there doesn't she?
:thumbup:

Shiavone has the trainer on and has a medical time-out. The 32year old must be feeling her age up against 18yr old Laura who, at 6' towers over her opponent (only 5'5" lol) and she's certainly feeling her back. The trainer has escorted her off the court for treatment.

[Jan]

Hope the treatment doesn't transform Schiavone too much!
Very impressed with the way Laura's playing.
Hope Laura can keep her focus. Come on Laura!

[Alis]

C'mon Laura - keep it going!

[Jan]

nice hold from Laura after the injury break

[david1610]

c'mon Laura!

[david1610]

BPs take the last one.
Judy in da house!!!
C?mon Laura!

[Jan]

:sofa: time for Laura

[JAMES4578]

Looks like that was a great first set from Laura but maybe the injury time out disrputed her momentum. Schiavone holds for 5-3, Laura must dig deep or we'll be in for a decider. Come on!

[Jan]

feeling a bit worried for Laura now

[Sallydaisy]

Into the 3rd set and Frankie gets an early break in game 1. Experience telling here.

The medical treatment has obviously helped Schiavone to play better and Laura is looking more nervy out there. The Italian is known as a 'warhorse' and is likely to try and grind out the win - pain or no pain. Laura will have to dig really deep to win against her now.

Come on Laura!!!
:swingin:

[Alis]

A good hold from Laura to keep her in touch - now we need a break!

[david1610]

3-5 in the third after Laura gets one of the breaks back.
This kind of match is worth gold in terms of the experience it will give her later on.
And now 4-5
C'mon Laura! Dreams can be made!

[Jan]

too much ground to make up unfortunately.

[cazza99]

Laura being interviewed on Wimbledon live now

[DaveArneRiise]

Turning point was when Laura had 0-40 on Francesc'a serve in the 2nd set but failed to convert. Francesca then broke Laura for the first time in the following game and never looked back really.


Fine effort from Laura but she'll feel she should have won!

[Sallydaisy]

Interesting tweets from Barry Flatman:
Barry Flatman ‏@Barry_FlatmanST (https://twitter.com/#%21/Barry_FlatmanST)
What is abundantly clear is Laura Robson's movement needs improving. So I'll let you into a secret.

Last year Olympic hero Daley Thompson offered to help in this department. No interest shown by the Robson camp. What a waste

[Sallydaisy]

Barry flatman on 'the twitter' having a go at her for her movement, saying Daley Thompson of all people offered to help her, but there decision not to take up the option was a big mistake. What an oaf he is. He's also unaware of Haas' apologising to Murray earlier this week. Please join me in putting him in his place on twitter.

I posted his tweets above.

Was he right about the Daley Thompson offer? If it was genuinely made surely it could have helped Laura 'cos her movement does need some help IMHO.
Or do you think he made up the bit about DT?

[david1610]

Either way use your contact with Judy, Sally and tell her to discuss it with Laura. Decathletes must know more about the body as any other sportsmen and women given they need a bit of everything so if it was serious it must be taken up. If she could improve her movement she would almost have the complete package!!!!

[Sallydaisy]

Either way use your contact with Judy, Sally and tell her to discuss it with Laura.
Whatever my contact is with Judy it certainly doesn't extend to telling her how to 'coach' ...
:hmm:

[david1610]

I did not mean that.... but if this was a good opportunity that was not fully understood at the time.... was just thinking aloud in terms of making something misunderstood understood....

[Sallydaisy]

I did not mean that.... but if this was a good opportunity that was not fully understood at the time.... was just thinking aloud in terms of making something misunderstood understood....
Fair enough, but I still wouldn't dream of contacting Judy to 'tell her to discuss it with Laura' because it's simply not my place to do something like that. Judy is very savvy and so are the people around Laura so I'm sure if such an approach had been made they'd have understood fully what it might mean and been in a position to make the best decision for Laura.

Barry Flatman has made that tweet but none of us knows what really has gone on behind the scenes. One thing for sure is that Judy will see what he wrote and if there's anything that needs addressing she'd probably know what to do.

[JAMES4578]

Turning point was when Laura had 0-40 on Francesc'a serve in the 2nd set but failed to convert. Francesca then broke Laura for the first time in the following game and never looked back really.


Fine effort from Laura but she'll feel she should have won!

Laura certainly seemed despondant when she was interviewed but in time hopefully she'll be able to reflect on the positives,even if it was maybe one that got away. However, obviously she had chance for that break in the 2nd and the start of the 3rd was disappointing,even if she did nearly come back.

[Linda]

I've been hearing for the last couple of years that Laura's movement around the court isn't good but I'm sure that Judy can see this and will try to subtly make suggestions?

[Helen40]

I've been hearing for the last couple of years that Laura's movement around the court isn't good but I'm sure that Judy can see this and will try to subtly make suggestions?

That and what Schiavone said about her in her interview, she needs heart.

[Helen40]

Robbo's in Palmero this week, a WTA ($220K) tourney.
She's playing IVAKHNENKO, Valentyna (UKR) Q 240 at about 16.00 BST.

[Jan]

Laura wins 6-1 6-0 :cheer:

[JAMES4578]

An emphatic win, well done Laura!

[david1610]

Laura wins 6-1 6-0 :cheer:
Good. Sounds exactly the kind of score needed to restore confidence and, hopefully, show her where her true ranking is headed!

[Helen40]

Laura up tomorrow not before 21.30.

[david1610]

I hope it does not sound sad but I do a lot of translating and live scores is not a bad way of having a break every couple of minutes! Thank you Helen!

[Jan]

Laura up tomorrow not before 21.30.

can I just query this?

OOP says not before 20.30, which I presume is local time. Italy is an hour ahead of UK I think, so that would make it not before 19.30 here, if I'm not mistaken...

first match on OOP is nearly over.

[Sallydaisy]

can I just query this?

OOP says not before 20.30, which I presume is local time. Italy is an hour ahead of UK I think, so that would make it not before 19.30 here, if I'm not mistaken...

first match on OOP is nearly over.
You're correct Jan. Laura was due to play not before 19.30hrs UK time.
:thumbup:

However ....... the first match on today's OOP (which started at 4pm) has taken nearly 3hrs already and is into a 3rd set at 5-5. So, they might not be finished for 10/15mins. Then there's the 2nd match to come which was due on court not before 6pm (5pm UK) Suarez-Navarro v Tatishvili.

At this rate Laura won't be playing much before 8/8.30pm UK time!!!
Hope they've got floodlights for the show court.
:p

OOP link (http://www.countrytimeclub.com/internazionali/files/OP.pdf)

[Jan]

the match before Laura's has finished by retirement

[Sallydaisy]

the match before Laura's has finished by retirement

Just saw that - she'll be on soon then.
Just time to get her match over with before Andy comes onto Mock the Week at 10pm!
:p

[Jan]

that's this evening sorted out then!!!

[Jan]

Laura wins first game. What a revolting colour for a court!!

[Sallydaisy]

Laura wins first game. What a revolting colour for a court!!

Sludge yellow - not attractive at all!!!
:barmy:

But Laura is winning the first set right now!
4-0 and Laura now serving.

Goes *0-40 eek
*15-40
*30-40 still 2 break points.

[Jan]

first set to Laura 6-3 :clap:

[Sallydaisy]

Excellent!

She faced a break point at *40-Ad so especially good that she hung on!
Vinci is likely to step it up now though .......

[Jan]

Laura broken but breaks straight back courtesy of df's from Vinci!

[Sallydaisy]

And broken again but is trying to break straight back at 1-3* Vinci serving.

[Jan]

*1-4 now

[Jan]

Laura breaks back *3-4 now

[Sallydaisy]

4-4 and she's already taken the first point off Vinci in the 9th game!
*0-15, *0-30, *15-30, 30 all.

Laura really giving the #2 seed a run for her money tonight!

[Jan]

Robbo breaks for *6-5
come on Laura!!!

[david1610]

Aaagh... though it was 21:30!
C'mon Laura.
http://www.supertennis.tv/ claims to have a stream but it does not work.... Any stream by any chance?

[Jan]

http://lsh.lshunter.tv/streams/1/lsh1.html

[Jan]

30-15

[Jan]

:grrr: DF 30-30

[david1610]

Not working but will concentrate on live score for obvious reasons. C'mon Heather. Two aces please!
Edit: still two aces please! 40-40

[Jan]

40-30 mp

[Jan]

deuce

[Jan]

mp again

[Jan]

YES!! stunning win for Laura :clap::clap:

[Hawkeye]

She gets it!

[david1610]

She won! 70% first serve first set 41% second set.
Bet the Italians won't want to face her in a hurry soon! WR 27. Is that Laura's best win?

[Jan]

love the way the ball kids stood around her hoping for a souvenir maybe!

[Jan]

that was great timing - I've got to go and collect my daughter now :)

[david1610]

I think that gives her 667 points though do not know what is coming off for Laura and others but that would make her ranked 100 this week, almost overtaking Bally.
And.... QF main tour event!

[JAMES4578]

A fabulous win, well done Laura!

[david1610]

After Huber and Raymond, Vinci and Errani and the top doubles players in the world, so although this was singles, this won't do any harm psychologically should Laura and Heather get draw against them in the Olympics!

[Sallydaisy]

Not working but will concentrate on live score for obvious reasons. C'mon Heather. Two aces please!
Edit: still two aces please! 40-40
She must have got a sonic jet over from Stanford!
:lol:

Fantastic win for Laura!!!
:yahoo:

From Steven on twitter:

Palermo ctd: Now certain of a place in the US Open main draw, Laura will play (5) Carla Suárez Navarro ESP WR 41 (CH 22 in 2009) in the QFs.
Tonight's win is @laurarobson5 (https://twitter.com/laurarobson5)'s biggest ranking scalp yet http://bit.ly/zxIwPt (http://t.co/46af4amh) - & the race for Monday's GB no 1 is still on!

[david1610]

Oops..... but in a way very nice to have two young players to confuse!

[Sallydaisy]

Oops..... but in a way very nice to have two young players to confuse!
It certainly is! Hopefully the rivalry will push them both on!
:thumbup:

[Helen40]

Not working but will concentrate on live score for obvious reasons. C'mon Heather. Two aces please!
Edit: still two aces please! 40-40
Heather?????

[Helen40]

I think that gives her 667 points though do not know what is coming off for Laura and others but that would make her ranked 100 this week, almost overtaking Bally.
And.... QF main tour event!

Laura got to the Woking finals this time last year, and got 34 points for her efforts, so, so far she's got another 36 net i.e. 633 which puts her around 105.

[david1610]

http://www.wtatennis.com/news/20120712/robson-vanquishes-vinci-in-palermo_2256076_2848104
Report on Laura's victory

[Sallydaisy]

PALERMO OOP - Friday 13th July 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012

Centre Court (from 16.00hrs, 15.00hrs UK)
1. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/barbora-zahlavova-strycova_2257889_8035) vs. Julia Goerges (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/julia-goerges_2257889_12610)
2. Carla Suárez Navarro (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/carla-suarez-navarro_2257889_10661) vs. Laura Robson (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/laura-robson_2257889_15680) (NB 18.30hrs = nb 17.30hrs UK)
3. Sara Errani (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/sara-errani_2257889_10077) vs. Alexandra Cadantu (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/alexandra-cadantu_2257889_12447) (NB 20.30hrs)
4. Voracova/Zahlavova Strycova vs. Dushevina/Gallovits-Hall

Court 2 (from 16.00hrs)
1. Dzehalevich/Kalashnikova vs. Jurak/Marosi
2. Estrella Cabeza Candela (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/estrella-cabeza-candela_2257889_10561) vs. Irina-Camelia Begu (http://www.wtatennis.com/player/irina-camelia-begu_2257889_12402)

This is Laura Robson's first ever WTA Tour 1/4 Final appearance.

http://www.jannaludlow.co.uk/Assets_3/Tennis_WTA_Logo.png

[Sallydaisy]

The first match on Centre has just gone to a 3rd set so Laura won't be on until nearer 6pm UK time.

[Sallydaisy]

Laura's match is underway. As I write it's on serve at 3-3 and Laura serving.
She went 30-0 but then 30 all, deuce, Ad and has just held for 4-3.

[Sallydaisy]

First set to Laura 6'4.

Very good so far; resisting all attempts by CSN to break her serve and got one in herself in the last game of the set.

[Sallydaisy]

Ah, shame. Laura broken to 30 in game 3 and CSN has just held to love for 3-1.
Don't give up Laura!!!

[Jan]

ooh she won the first set (been in the kitchen!)

[Jan]

but 2-5* in the 2nd :sad:

[Sallydaisy]

Going to a 3rd set - at least that gives Laura another chance!
She's made a lot of UE's in this set and her serve has gone off the boil a tad.

[Jan]

time for Laura to remember how she was playing in the first set.

[Jan]

ls says match suspended for heat

edit - but now doesn't!

[Sallydaisy]

ls says match suspended for heat

edit - but now doesn't!
I did wonder 'cos when I read your first line I looked at LS and it was fine!
They did have a 'comfort' break and CSN had her coach onto court.
She's hitting the ball a lot harder.
Laura needs to hold serve to keep her confidence up!

[Sallydaisy]

Well done Laura, 1-0 third set.

[Jan]

good hold from Laura

[Sallydaisy]

Well, Laura did incredibly well to get that break but a DF on her own serve and another UE give CSN 2 break back points.

[Jan]

been out briefly. Looks as thought lots has been going on! Laura has just broken for *4-2

[Jan]

and a sloppy service game hands the break back. Come on Laura!

[Jan]

a DF epidemic!

[Sallydaisy]

And ANOTHER break of serve!!!

Laura to serve for the match at *5-3!
Come on!!!
:swingin:

[Jan]

Laura serving for thr match. Come on - no DFs please

[Jan]

30-15 come on Laura!

[Sallydaisy]

:sofa:

[Jan]

deuce....

[Jan]

MP

[Jan]

6-4 2-6 6-3 woo hoo brilliant from Laura!
:cheer::cheer::cheer:

[-J-]

:cheer::cheer:

[Sallydaisy]

Huge congratulations to @laurarobson5 (https://twitter.com/laurarobson5) for reaching her first WTA Semi-Final.
Beats Suarez-Navarro 6'4, 2'6, 6'3.

:yahoo:

Go for it Laura!!!

[Jan]

And she'll be British no.3 in the rankings next week!!

[JAMES4578]

Great news, well done Laura!

[Sallydaisy]

Quite a changing of the guard come Monday.
Heather will go ahead of AnneKas GB#1 and Laura will leapfrog Bally for the #3 spot.
Heather, Anne, Laura, Elena (who'll be just inside the top 100 at #99) with Jo Konta around the 210 mark.

[Jan]

Laura plays Zahlavova Strycova in the semi

[Helen40]

Beeb haven't gotten round to telling the world yet. I wonder if they'll get the facts wrong like they did for Vinci :grrr:

Well done Laura!!!

[Helen40]

Robbos' got a wildcard into Bastad too :)

http://women.swedishopen.org/News/Laura%20Robson%20far%20Wild%20Card%20till%20Sony%2 0Swedish%20Open.aspx

[DaveArneRiise]

Some win versus Vinci on clay followed by a monstrous win over another fine clay courter in Suarez Navarro. Simply stunning stuff this from Robbo!

[patmoren]

Laura is definitely on fire at the moment.

[Jan]

SF scheduled for 5.45 local time, so 4.45pm here

[Alis]

Who is she playing?

[Hawkeye]

Laura plays Zahlavova Strycova in the semi...

[Sallydaisy]

SF: ROBSON, Laura (GBR) #113 v ZAHLAVOVA STRYCOVA, Barbora (CZE) 8th Seed #71

Laura has already despatched the 2nd and 5th seeds at this tournament.
Wonder if she'll be OK to take out another or find it all a bit too much?

Think she's the first British girl to reach a WTA Semi-Final since AnneK in Luxembourg 2011.

Not getting too far ahead .....
:cauldron:

..... but it's 24 years since GB had a WTA Tour winner.

April 28, 2010 - TheTennisWriter.
This is their reporting - my comments in purple.

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the last fully British female to win a WTA Tour Singles title. On 28th April 1985, 18 year old Annabel Croft of Great Britain, ranked no.83 at the time defeated world number 7 ranked Wendy Turnbull 6-0, 7-6(5) to win the Virginia Slims of San Diego and her first WTA Tour Title, causing much excitement amongst the British press. The young British hopeful never rose to expectations caused by this victory and failed to win another title before quitting her professional career in 1988.

In July 1988 Sara Gomer (http://www.wtatennis.com/page/Player/Activity/0,,12781~2706,00.html) won the Aptos Title but this was a $50k lower tier and the equivalent of a Challenger event.
So, although it's shown as a WTA title there are some who prefer not to count it.

Monique Javer won a WTA Tour Singles Title in 1988 in Singapore but was only half British.
We don't mind - she played under the GBR flag!!!

[david1610]

Wow! Laura has shown she is capable of giving a tough match to just about anyone but haven't we mentioned in the past she has tended to be up and down. If she starts stringing together several good wins on the trot and gets the match and tournament sharpness to match her power, we are in for a treat in the next few years!

Two junior GS winners starting to show what they can do!
The battle for next Monday's GB No. 1 is still on!

[david1610]

PS Don't forget the context though... Strycov defeated Gorges today in three sets. On this form a win is not out of the question but not automatic either! Let's just hope she is on a roll! C'mon Laura!

[Sallydaisy]

BZS played doubles tonight on top of her singles earlier today ...... tiredness maybe?

[Helen40]

BZS played doubles tonight on top of her singles earlier today ...... tiredness maybe?
I'm certainly hoping so, or too much sun.

[cazza99]

Will there be a livestream? I notice Eurosport and TennisTV are not covering it.

[Sallydaisy]

Will there be a livestream? I notice Eurosport and TennisTV are not covering it.
Bet365 have it scheduled for 16.45 and I'd imagine there will be other livestreams around.

[Sallydaisy]

Just spotted @laurarobson5 (https://twitter.com/laurarobson5) semi v Strycova is live on ESPN (Sky417) at 16.45!!
@hampden69 on twitter

[david1610]

Has anybody got any other streams? Especially those out of the UK. Thanks in advance....
Edit... got bet365 working after all... and still have 4 Euros in my account from when I must have had to deposit some money!

[david1610]

C'mon Laura! 34 ºC! 93ºF!

[Jan]

:cheer: Laura!

[Jan]

nice love hold to settle the nerves!

[david1610]

Yes. C'mon Laura!

[Jan]

a break!

[david1610]

Laura gets the break. Now consolidate it!
2-0. C'mon Laura!

[david1610]

Oops! Laura is really, really sweating and just hope she can cope with the heat. That second serve was way into the wrong court.
Never mind. C'mon Laura!

[Jan]

broken back. Had hoped Laura might be able to minimise the DFs. Early days though.

[Sallydaisy]

Oops! Laura is really, really sweating and just hope she can cope with the heat.
Have to hope the years spent in Australia when she was young would help + it was pretty hot the last few days and she seemed fine.

Bit of overhitting on the ground strokes at the moment. Might be nerves?

[david1610]

2-2
Bit of a test now. Breathe in and out...
Focus. Safe hold. C'mon Laura!

[Jan]

2 BPs well saved

[Sallydaisy]

Tough hold but she made it and keeps her nose in front in the first set 3-2.

[david1610]

What a difference a couple of good first serves make. Important hold that. She could have seen the first set disappear into the distance if she had been broken there, methinks.
Now try and break now. C'mon Laura!

[Sallydaisy]

Wooop!!!!!! Laura has broken BZS and now will serve at 4-2.

She played that game well, BZS hit a couple wide, tried a drop shot which Laura got to and then put away. Nice play from her.

She has just served a double fault though.
Followed by another dropshot from BZS and it's *0-30

[Jan]

she heard you David!

[david1610]

Ahead 4-2. Now consolidate please and make it a break.
Focus. Safe hold. C'mon Laura!

[david1610]

Loved the way she gradually moved further and further into the court to win that point. 15-30. still alot of work to be done. First serves please!

[Sallydaisy]

5-2 to Laura and BZS will serve to stay in the first set.
How about another break Laura????

[Jan]

well held Laura! 5-2*

[david1610]

5-2 to Laura with a 31% first serve rate and 4 DFs in four service games!!!! Not sure how she has managed that!
Love her to break again to save everybody's nerves! C'mon Laura!

[Jan]

sp

[david1610]

SP! Please take it Laura!

[Sallydaisy]

:yahoo:
First set 6'2 to Laura!!!

[Jan]

1st set 6-2 :cheer::cheer:

[cazza99]

:yahoo: well done Laura

[david1610]

Yes!!!! Fantastic.
Now really, really important to hold that first service game.
I cannot see the ball well enough to make comments on the rallies and do not know the opponent but two things seem clear. She has a second serve that is there for the taking and she is also there for the taking if you get and keep her upset!
Long way to go but c'mon Laura!

[Jan]

right, come on Laura. I have to sort some food out in the kitchen, so will be running backand forth for a bit!

[Sallydaisy]

Not that convincing tbh from Laura but she toughed it out from the middle of that set on and took her chances. BZS wasn't playing her best and the commies are saying she's not had a good year so far.

First set stats tell a story
Despite the DF's Laura won way more points once she got her serve in and her return was good too.




BZS

LR



Aces

0

0



Double Faults

2

4



First serves in

50%

33%



Points won on first serve

57%

89%



Points won on 2nd serve

29%

44%








Break points saved

0/3

3/4



First return points won

11%

43%



2nd return points won

56%

71%



Break points won

1/4

3/3

[david1610]

Well held Laura but it I was her opponent's coach I would be furious after letting Laura off the hook after two DFs.
Now a break and consolidation would be great. C'mon Laura!

[david1610]

1-1
Once again....
Focus. Safe hold. C'mon Laura!

[david1610]

Laura holds. 2-1.
Trainer.... mmm... why do I think this opponent is a brat?! She is the kind of person I suspect who would rather withdraw than give a "kid" a W over her. Or am I being unfair and normally she is sweetness itself but today is frustrated as she is carrying an injury? Or after beating Georges it is driving her nuts that she has not hit "just Laura" off court?
Tell you what, if we start watching Laura regularly we might need a "murraycoaster" word for her matches.
Oh well, stay focused. C'mon Laura!

[Sallydaisy]

Laura taking the time for a long chat with her travelling coach Lucie Ahl; former British player.

[david1610]

2-2
Now ....
Focus. Safe hold. C'mon Laura!

[david1610]

40-0 to 40-40
Focus. Safe hold. C'mon Laura!

[david1610]

Drat! I never like it when an opponent gets an advantage after a timeout.
Laura was 40-0 and left a ball which went in.
This opponent will probbly feed off the confidence.
Oh well. let's must.... break her back then consolidate. C'mon Laura!

[Jan]

she got broken??
too bad - she'll just have to break back!

[Sallydaisy]

Break back she did ... 3-3 2nd set and on serve.
Let's hope Laura can find her first serves in this game!

[Jan]

ooh good! come on!!

[david1610]

Aaargh.... another DF! 40-40 3-3.
Hold. Please.
C'mon Laura!
Aargh.... ue on game point for Laura.
This game might decide the match.
Take it. C'mon Laura!
GP Laura. This time please!!!!
40-40 Over ten minutes now for this game.
C'mon Laura!
GP Laura. That was probably the first point played really well by both at the same time!
C'mon Laura!
Yes!!!!
Now break and hold....plleeeaaasseee!

[Sallydaisy]

10 DF's for Laura - her serving is woeful today.
That's effectively cost her 11 points this match - nearly 3 games if they'd been Aces!

[Sallydaisy]

Advantage but then into the net from Laura and back to deuce.
Come on!!! 2 first serves would be good!

[david1610]

4-4. Oh well...
Focus. Safe hold. C'mon Laura!

[david1610]

40-40 from a good position. Aargh!
Just get the next two points.
C'mon Laura!
BP opponent... Laura not putting the ball way and ANOTHer drop shot.
Never mind. Focus. Next point. C'mon Laura!

[Jan]

what have I missed? oh no she's been broken. but we know she can break back!!

[Helen40]

oh no 4-5. Break back Laura!