Thursday, October 11, 2012

Laura Robson wins first-round match at Japan Open


Britain's Laura Robson is through to the second round of the Japan Open after she beat Greek opponent Eleni Daniilidou 6-4 6-2 in Osaka. The 18-year-old, ranked 56th in the world and seeded in a WTA tournament for the first time, saw Daniilidou recover from 3-0 in the second set. But Robson held a tough service game, re-established her double break at 5-2 and served out at the first attempt. She will face China's Yi-miao Zhou in the next round. Robson is bidding to break into the top 50 after recent successes including winning Olympic silver in the mixed doubles with Andy Murray and reaching the final of China's Guangzhou Open. Number two seed Zheng Jie appeared on the verge of becoming the tournament's first major casualty when she trailed Spaniard Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez by a set and 5-2. But the Chinese player reeled off 20 of the next 26 points to take the set before completing a 4-6 7-5 6-4 victory. British number two Heather Watson, already through to the second round of the singles, teamed up with veteran Japanese player Kimiko Date-Krumm to progress to the second round of the women's doubles. The 20-year-old and her 42-year-old partner, who are the fourth seeds, beat Canada's Eugenie Bouchard and American Alexa Glatch 6-3 6-2.(BBC)