Home favourite Laura Robson made her debut at Wimbledon against one of the toughest players on tour, 2016 Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber. Robson has had a tricky few years struggling with a wrist injury requiring two surgeries, and although she showed some good signs on court, a combination of inconsistency and Kerber's confidence resulted in a two set defeat.
Inconsistency from Robson
Robson began the match serving, but was immediately under pressure as she double faulted, having to save a break-point. A huge cross court forehand saved it, but another double fault put her under pressure in this encounter early once again. A strong serve and a couple of unforced errors from the German let her clinch the first game though, putting the Brit on the board first, which settled some of her nerves. Robson utilised one of Kerber’s weaker second serves with a strong return, which is a good sign, but Kerber was able to hold with little trouble for 1-1.
Robson dictated some play by moving Kerber around the court, but she shortly faced two break points as Kerber was able to defend the court superbly. The Brit saved the first with an ace, and the next with some deep hitting, sending the game to deuce. Robson netted a forehand, and was able to save her fifth break point in just three games, but she was lacking some major rhythm on her serve as she double faulted yet again. Eventually, Robson was able to come through to lead 2-1. Kerber followed suit, but holding to 15 very quickly, balancing the first set scoreline. The German looked comfortable and strong, and with a long forehand from the Brit, Kerber broke serve to go up 3-2.
The Australian Open champion then preceded to consolidate the break. Robson released a yell of frustration as her shot drifted long, and she tried to fight back, but an early, aggressive return from Kerber gave the Brit no time to react. A beautiful rally finished with Robson hitting a clean forehand winner deep into the corner, her best shot of the match so far, but she double faulted again, losing her game point.
Strong, defensive play from Kerber allowed the German to break yet again to lead 5-2 in the first set. Kerber served out the first set, sealing it with an ace, to lead 6-2. Despite some good play from Laura, she played with a sense of inconsistency as she committed 22 unforced errors in just the first set, which is dangerous when playing against a top player like Kerber who will take every opportunity she gets.
Comfortable second set for Kerber
Robson was broken to love immediately in the second set as she was unable to dictate any play. Kerber, who became increasingly comfortable, consolidated the break to lead 2-0 in the second set in just eight minutes. At this point in the match, Robson had served five double faults, a figure way too high against a playing like Kerber, who plays a clean game.
A smart dropshot from Kerber was an indication of how comfortable the Grand Slam champion was feeling in this first round encounter. The German forced Robson out wide with a huge cross court forehand, sending the Brit’s service game to deuce, and Robson’s 27th unforced error gave Kerber a break point. Robson constructed a perfect drop-shot, and with a strong serve, she got herself on the board for the first time in the second set, 1-2.
Kerber didn’t let the British crowd faze her, as she played with perfect placement and power to maintain her break, 3-1. Two beautiful passing shots in the same game from Kerber stumped Robson, giving the German three break points. Robson saved the first with a forehand winner, and the second with some deep hitting, but a forehand long gave Kerber another break.
The 2016 Australian Open champion was comfortable and in control up a double break in the second set, 4-1. Kerber had another easy service game, consolidating the break to love to put herself one game away from the second round at Wimbledon. Robson, still hanging on, forced Kerber to serve out the match, but the German did just that, taking the game, set and match 6-2, 6-2.
Kerber will face thirty year old Vavara Lepchenko in the second round at SW19, who came through her opener against Pereira in three sets.