Laura Robson’s effort was gallant, she saved three match points with breathtaking strokes but it was the greater experience and match savvy of Michaela Krajicek of Holland that prevailed in the second round of qualifying for the Australian Open last night.
Krajicek, half sister to Richard the 1996 Wimbledon champion, beat the 15-year-old British hopeful 6-4, 7-6, only a couple of shots either way proving decisive. Krajicek was once in Robson’s position, a junior of outstanding potential, who has been in the world’s top 30, though she has struggled to make a consistent impact and is currently ranked No.129.
Robson, who partnered Andy Murray into the final of the Hyundai Hopman Cup mixed tournament last week in Perth will now play the Australian junior championships before settling on her schedule for a year in which he is allowed to play 12 events on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, through their age eligibility programme.
Robson played the whole match with plaster on the top of her left shoulder, and was flexing it at various times, as if so much tennis in a shot space of time has weakened the muscles. But it took a remarkable last shot for Krajieck to win, a backhand crosscourt winner from under the nose of one of the side linesmen, which screeched past Robson’s racket at the net.