Robson Falls Short of Sharapova Upset
Maria Sharapova (Rus) (5) bt Laura Robson (Gbr) 7-6 (7-4) 6-3
The fateful shot which saw Laura Robson exit Wimbledon 2011 was a misguided and wild backhand hack from a typically powerful Maria Sharapova serve.
It was far from a fair reflection of how the 17 year old Brit had played against the Russian seeded fifth for the tournament. Having defeated Angelique Kerber on Wednesday in her first ever grand slam win, Robson, ranked 254th in the world, was pitted against tournament favourite Sharapova and could not have asked for a better start.
At 4-1 up in the first set, Robson was flying, her strong forehand down the line causing her opponent, who won at the All England club when she was just 17, an array of problems.
As it was however, Sharapova’s cross court backhands equalled, if not bettered, Robson and she forced a tie-break – something both parties would have arguably settled for. The seven years greater experience of which shot to play, and when, was invaluable to the Russian who picked and chose wisely with seemingly superior vision to nick it 7-4.
Backed by a partisan crowd on Court 1, Robson buckled in the second set. At 5-1 down the youngster was repeatedly serving to stay in the game having broken a couple of service games yet succumbed 6-3 amid distractions of various shrieks and challenges to a gracious but nonetheless relieved winner.
The match shall enhance Robson’s reputation and newspapers over the weekend across the land will eulogise about a perceived success to cringeworthy proportions. Ultimately though it was a failure littered with plenty of hope and reasons for promise, but in keeping with the English psyche, should we settle for this, progress will not be forthcoming.
Comments
Post a Comment