• Wimbledon, Day Three

Robson sets up Sharapova clash as brave Watson falls

Heather Watson plays with strapping on her elbow © PA Photos

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Laura Robson showed real grit as she booked her place in the second round of Wimbledon for the first time, but Heather Watson fell at the first hurdle despite a gutsy effort.

Robson joined Elena Baltacha and Anne Keothavong in the second round with a hard-fought 4-6 7-6(4) 6-3 victory over Germany's Angelique Kerber.

Robson battled back from a set down, and was well on course for victory at 4-1 in the decider. However, after Kerber received treatment on a shoulder injury, the German threatened to mount a comeback, but Robson held her nerve to break once again before serving out the match to love. Robson will meet 2004 champion Maria Sharapova in the second round on Thursday.

Watson, meanwhile battled through the pain of an elbow injury but failed to reach the second round at Wimbledon after falling to Mathilde Johansson. The British No. 2 saved three match points but was unable to prevent a 2-6 6-4 6-4 defeat.

Watson won the opening set with a confident display, breaking in the fifth game before winning four straight games to move closer to a place in the second round. However, she appeared to be hampered by an elbow problem in the second set, and called the trainer for treatment. She returned to the court, but Johansson levelled to force the match to a decider.

In a thrilling final set, Watson broke early, only for Johansson to bounce back for a 4-2 lead. Although Watson dug deep to level at 4-4, she was broken in the final game. Watson battled valiantly, saving three match points before Johansson eventually prevailed.

Meanwhile, British No. 3 Anne Keothavong failed to reach the third round after falling in straight sets to Petra Kvitova. The Czech left-hander was a surprise semi-finalist at the All England Club last year, and she proved too strong as she powered to a 6-2 6-1 victory in an hour and six minutes,

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