Robson sails on, taking rough with smooth

There was no pumping of fists or flexing of biceps but Laura Robson did more than enough yesterday to establish herself as Britain's latest Wimbledon hero. In a show of technical excellence and mental maturity the 14-year-old made it into today's junior final with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Romana Tabakova of Slovakia. Another victory will make her the first domestic winner of a singles title here in 24 years. Much like Annabel Croft, the girls' champion of 1984, Robson exudes an unmistakable 'English Rose' quality but observers of the junior circuit and any one of the 800 spectators who filled Court Three yesterday will know that a determined competitor lurks within her diminutive frame. Having taken the first set in 27 minutes, in which she twice hit aces of over 100mph as well as a series of point-winning forehands, Robson... [read full story]