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Robson sees dream ended by Kanepi

Laura Robson found Kaia Kanepi too strong but left Court One with her head held high © PA Photos

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Laura Robson had already become the first British woman in 15 years to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon but she was unable to go any further on Monday, as her dream was ended by Kaia Kanepi in front of a packed Court One crowd.

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Both sets went the distance and were incredibly tight but Robson was just unable to clinch the pivotal points in each one - Kanepi eventually a narrow, but deserved 7-6(6) 7-5 victor.

Robson began strongly, taking the opening game to deuce with two powerful forehands on Kanepi's second serve. The Estonian recovered well, serving out to take first blood.

The British No. 1 responded with a hold-to-love, her service looking much stronger than previous outings before pushing Kanepi once more; however, the 28-year-old held firm at the first exchange.

Despite successive double faults, Kanepi fended off more Robson pressure as the youngster looked increasingly comfortable on court.

With the duo locked at 4-4 in the first set, Robson seized the all-important first breakthrough with a commanding forehand which was too strong for her opponent to leave herself serving for the first set.

However, Kanepi reacted immediately to force the break back with the Brit showing seemingly feeling the pressure under her own serve.

Kanepi continued to warm to the task, edging ahead before Robson answered to take the opener to a tie-break. Kanepi clawed back from 5-2 down to level, before Robson saved set point with a stunning forehand.

However, a wide forehand followed by a loose backhand from Robson handed Kanepi the first set after a tense 49-minute exchange.

The start of the second proved equally as tight, Robson missing another chance to break as Kanepi levelled after being taken to deuce to make it two games each.

That soon became three as neither player could take the initiative against serve, Robson sending a timely ace to save break point and edge the lead.

A timely slip from Robson provided the leveller for Kanepi at 5-5, but it was the slip in concentration that would affect her the most.

Facing three break points, Robson returned a backhand wide of the line to give Kanepi the advantage.

The four-time grand slam quarter-finalist soon worked her way to two match points - but Robson showed supreme determination to grind her way back to deuce.

Match point number three came after a Kanepi ace, but she failed to convert when double-faulting at the crucial moment.

Robson was looking calm under pressure, saving a fourth match point as Kanepi netted her return.

But it was not to be for the plucky Brit, as Kanepi wrong footed her on the fifth match point to seal her second quarter-final appearance at SW19.

Robson, close to tears, will be richer for the experience - leaving Court One with plenty of class and her head held high.

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