Robson wins first qualifier

Teenager Laura on target for Open berth

Last updated: 14th January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Robson wins first qualifier

Robson: through to next round

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Laura Robson has kept alive her hopes of reaching the main draw at the Australian Open after winning her opening qualifying match.

The 15-year-old Briton defeated Australia's Sophie Ferguson 6-4 2-6 6-4 in a match that lasted two hours and 11 minutes.

Robson, ranked 406 in the world, was handed a wildcard entry into qualifying last week after she teamed with Andy Murray to help Great Britain reach the final of the Hopman Cup.

The teenager defeated Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, the world number 26, in the final in Perth to underline her growing status.

Robson was, however, below her best as she battled 44 unforced errors to eventually overcome a player ranked over 250 places higher than her.

Next up for Robson will be 21-year-old Michaella Krajicek who reached the third round at the Australian Open in 2006.

Robson must negotiate two more rounds of qualifying to reach the main draw.

Naomi Cavaday joined Robson in the next round after she battled back to defeat Alexandra Panova 3-6 7-6 (7/3) 6-3.

Melanie South's bid was ended at the first hurdle as she fell 6-3 6-3 to Shenay Perry.

Meanwhile, both of the British men in action on Thursday were also eliminated. Alex Bogdanovic was defeated in his second-round match with Turkey's Marsel Ilhan 6-4 6-4, while James Ward was also despatched in straight sets as he was beaten 6-3 6-4 by Illya Marchenko.