• WTA

Robson progresses in Beijing

ESPN staff
September 30, 2012
Laura Robson is closing in on a place in the world's top 50 © Getty Images
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Laura Robson continued her impressive form as she reached the second round of the China Open with victory over Kimiko Date-Krumm.

The British No. 1, who reached the final of the Guangzhou Open last weekend, continued to make strides as she claimed a 6-4 6-4 win over the Japanese veteran, a player more than twice her age.

However, the 18-year-old was forced to recover from a sluggish start, battling back from a double break down before powering through five straight games to win the opening set.

Robson's forehand continued to prove her greatest weapon and her firepower proved too much for her 42-year-old opponent as she wrapped up victory in an hour and 21 minutes. She will now face Lourdes Dominguez Lino in the second round after the Spaniard defeated Roberta Vinci 6-7(4) 7-6(4) 6-2.

"I'm feeling confident when I play at the moment. Even when I'm not playing my best like I was today I still feel that I am able to win matches," Robson told AFP. "I was a double-break down in the first set and I knew I had to get a lot better and start moving my feet a bit more."

Chinese No. 1 Li Na thrilled the home crowds as she powered past Francesca Schiavone 6-2 6-3. Li, who succeeded Schiavone as French Open champion in 2011, can qualify for the season-ending WTA Championships with a strong showing this week.

Former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic knocked out her doubles partner Andrea Petkovic 6-2 6-4, while there were also wins for Marion Bartoli and Peng Shuai.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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