• British tennis

Robson suffers Wimbledon setback

ESPN staff
June 13, 2011
Laura Robson was beaten in the first round at the UNICEF Open © Getty Images
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Laura Robson's preparations for Wimbledon were dealt a blow on Monday as she exited the UNICEF Open in the first round.

Robson has been handed a wildcard for Wimbledon, having won the junior version of the event as a 14-year-old. This week's UNICEF Open in the Netherlands was supposed to build the youngster's belief that she could pass the first round of the senior Wimbledon competition for the first time, but she was beaten 7-5 6-3 by Arantxa Parra Santonja.

Robson's serve completely capitulated, coughing up 13 double-faults, and she was broken six times en route to defeat.

Meanwhile in Eastbourne, Anne Keothavong fell at the final hurdle in her bid to qualify for the AEGON International. Keothavong was one win away from the main draw after outclassing Sorana Cirstea 6-3 6-3, but was defeated in straight sets by Mirjana Lucic 7-5 6-1.

It was not good news for the Brits in action at Devonshire Park, as two men's wildcards lost their opening matches. Colin Fleming was beaten by Radek Stepanek 6-3 6-4, while Daniel Evans won the opening set against the highly-rated Bulgarian youngster Grigor Dimitrov, but eventually fell 2-6 7-6(5) 6-4.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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