• Australian Open, Girls Final

Robson falls short once again

ESPN staff
January 30, 2010
Laura Robson has found disappointment in two consecutive girls finals © Getty Images
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British talent Laura Robson has fallen agonisingly short in her quest for the Australian Open Girls Singles title for the second year running, losing 6-1 7-6 in the final to Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic.

Robson struggled in the first set before fighting back in the second, leading at one stage during the set and then during the decisive tie breaker before Pliskova ultimately proved too strong.

Pliskova's win represented a form of revenge for her twin sister, Kristyna, who Robson had defeated in the semi-final to progress to the decider.

Appropriately during a week when Andy Murray had flown the British flag high by reaching Sunday's final against Roger Federer, Robson had been in fine form in making her third Junior Grand Slam final following on from last year's event in Melbourne and the 2008 Wimbledon final, which she created headlines by winning as a 14-year-old.

Robson's serve has been one of her biggest assets, but Pliskova's was on fire this time, the 17-year-old sending down 13 aces and winning 73% of points on her first serve, which she landed 67% of the time.

While British hopes will now turn to Robson's Hopman Cup team-mate Murray as he chases his first ever Grand Slam success, Robson's run in Melbourne, the town of her birth, has further proved that there is a genuine hope for the future emerging in the women's circuit.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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