• Internazionali BNL d'Italia

Robson power play floors Venus

ESPN staff
May 13, 2013

Laura Robson took the notable scalp of Venus Williams to advance to the second round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia.

Williams came into the contest complaining of a back problem and Robson ruthlessly exposed the former world No. 1's shortcomings as she powered to a 6-3 6-2 win.

Robson has been plagued by issues with her serve in recent months and she again gifted points with double faults, eight in all, but her ground play was exemplary and she simply overwhelmed Williams from the back of the court.

Two double faults from Robson in the opening game gifted break points to Williams but the British teenager steeled herself to stave off the threat. And she took confidence from getting out of a hole as she broke Williams in the following game.

Robson secured a double break to lead 4-1, but she coughed up her third and fourth double faults to hand Williams the initiative in the sixth game. Once again, though, the Brit fended off a string of break points and a superb swinging forehand enabled her to hold for a 5-1 lead.

The set was wrapped up shortly afterwards as Williams had no answers to the power forehand of Robson.

A blustery wind in Rome did not do either player any favours and Robson did struggle with her ball toss. But for all the problems on serve, Robson - who was a five-year-old when Williams won the Rome title in 1999 - kept her composure and she raced through the second set.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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