Laura Robson will face a tough test if she is to reach the second round of Wimbledon
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Laura Robson is the nation’s tennis sweetheart.
Still just 19, she is the current no. 1 ranked female tennis player in the UK, and won the country’s hearts when paired with Andy Murray in last summer’s Olympics, picking up a silver medal in mixed doubles. But she has only ever reached the fourth round in a Grand Slam, and is ranked at 37 in the world; this match will be a tough test for the young Brit.
Kirilenko is ranked at world number 10 – a career high – and like Robson recently saw success in the Olympics, picking up a Bronze medal. She is 26, and has reached three Grand Slam quarterfinals in her life, all within the past three years.
She has six WTA titles, but will be looking to land a Grand Slam soon while she is on top of her game and in great physical condition.
These two have never met in a tournament before, which is no surprise due to their lack of success and young age.
Kirilenko is coming off the back of seven wins in her last 10 games, and recently played at a warm up tournament for Wimbledon on the coast in Eastbourne. Robson has only won 2 in her last 7, and also played recently in the tournament in Eastbourne, where in the second round she lost to Caroline Wozniacki, the partner of Irish golfer and world number 2 Rory McIlroy.
Last year Robson crashed out of the All England Club tournament in the first round losing 2-1, having won the first set of her match 6-2. England will be hoping this year she doesn’t have the same fate. Lets hope the English home fans spur her on to victory…
Prediction: Kirilenko to win in three sets.
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