Laura Robson showed she means business in the US Open last night as she claimed the biggest win of her career to see off former world number one Kim Clijsters in round two of the tournament.
The 18-year-old wrote her name in US Open history in ending the singles career of one of the Flushing Meadows greats, securing a 7-6(4) 7-6(5) victory.
Robson’s shock victory sends the Belgian into retirement, with last night being the 29-year-old’s final appearance at the US Open.
Clijsters was hoping to mark her final event with a fifth major title, which would have been her fourth in New York. But it wasn’t to be, and despite a fierce battle the world number 25 couldn’t see off her 89th-ranked opponent.
“I’ve had so many tough matches against top players that I knew the level was there, I just had to keep it for the whole match,” said Robson.
“Kim has been such a great player for so many years and a role model for all the younger girls coming up.”
The British number three now faces Chinese ninth seed Li Na in round three, with Na the player that knocked out fellow Brit Heather Watson on the opening day of the competition.
Jessica Whittington, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
