Wimbledon 2011

Laura Robson v Maria Sharapova - as it happened

Maria Sharapova beat Laura Robson 7-6, 6-3 but the British teenager caused the No5 side plenty of problems on Court One
Maria Sharapova and Laura Robson
Maria Sharapova and Laura Robson shake hands after the Russian No5 seed won their match at Wimbledon. Photograph: Anja Niedringhaus/AP

Preamble The sun is shining (sort of - it's not raining at least) and everyone at Wimbledon is happy. Except for Laura Robson, who is probably feeling a little bit nervous right now. Robson would surely take being called Tim for the rest of her life if it meant a place in the next round. The 17-year-old takes on former champion and No5 seed Maria Sharapova on Court One in what is the biggest game of her short career.
"I'm going to be on Court One playing against Sharapova so it will be pretty special," Robson said after coming from a set down to beat Angelique Kerber in the last round. Whether she will think it's special in about two hours time we are about to find out.

Sharapova and Robson walk out on Court One side-by-side. Well actually Sharapova strides out purposefully. Robson, understandably, looks a bit anxious as she follows behind. She looks pretty good in the knock-up, if that's any indicator, which I'm sure it's not.

This person making the 'three minute', 'two minute' countdown is even making me nervous. 'One minute' she says. This is tense. Now the announcer is threatening the crowd which means we're just about ready to go. "'I'm going to be on Court One playing against Sharapova so it will be pretty special,"' writes Gary Naylor of Robson's pre-game comments. "Not sure John McEnroe said things like that in his run from the qualifying to the final in 1977, nor La Sharapova herself in 2004. Brits eh? It's the taking part that counts." Maybe she's the Theo Walcott of tennis? We're about to find out. Robson to serve ...

First set: Robson* 1-0 Sharapova If the first game is anything to go by then this contest could go the distance. Five times Sharapova reached break point but five times Robson fought back with a strong left-handed serve which led to points which levelled things again. Robson's first serve is putting Sharapova under real pressure, but the Russian is making hay on Robson's second serve with some devastating returns. It's that serve which eventually tells as Robson wins a nine-minute game as Sharapova, struggling to regain her composure after being sent wide by another powerful serve, goes past the baseline and Robson takes the first game.

First set: Robson 2-0 Sharapova* Robson break Sharapova to move into a two-game lead. What a start. Throughout that game she showed that she too is able to return the serve with interest moving into a position where she has two break points. Sharapova shows her class fighting back top bring it to deuce, before a wayward Robson return from an 87mph second-serve from Sharapova gives the Russian advantage. Robson's resilience is clear and three times she denied Sharapova the game before gaining a third break point which she takes full advantage of.

First set: Robson* 3-0 Sharapova Robson's break in the second game was only worthwhile is she was able to follow it up by holding serve and she makes no mistake, conceding just one point to Sharapova and even having a challenge upheld. Sharapova made a couple of unforced errors in that game and those , coupled with the double-faults in her service game, have given Robson an opening that she is taking full advantage of.

First set: Robson 3-1 Sharapova* If it was a battle of grunting Sharapova would have this in the bag already, but it's not - at least not yet - but Sharapova gets off the mark anyway by holding serve comfortably. She didn't give Robson any real opening in that game.

First set: Robson* 4-1 Sharapova Sharapova is having huge difficulty coping with Robson's serve. Partly it seems down to the fact that it's a left-handed service, but the accuracy, power and consistency from Robson is hugely impressive. Robson has landed 64% or first-serves and if she can keep that percentage high then she is going to have a really good chance.

First set: Robson 4-2 Sharapova* Sharapova kicks things off with a double-fault and despite fighting back to win the game it's clear the Russian's serve is problematic.

First set: Robson* 4-3 Sharapova Robson considers a challenge to a Sharapova return which seemed long on the baseline. She decides against it but appears a little unnerved by it - double-faulting two of the next three points, the second of which gives Sharapova break point. This time Robson's serve is strong but Sharapova shows her credentials with a fine return and after a short rally Robson hits the net, gives her first audible groan of the match and Sharapova has broken back.

First set: Robson 4-4 Sharapova*"If Robson wins can I take the credit?" writes David Burgh. "I put a bet on Sharapova to win Wimbledon just before they started ..." You can do whatever you want, David, but your bet is looking slightly better than it was 15 minutes ago as Sharapova wins her service game - a double-fault free game for once - to level the scores.

First set: Robson* 5-4 Sharapova An impressive service game from Robson with a quick switch from BBC2 to BBC1 in the middle. Why can't they make up their minds? Robson's serve has been impressive but Gary Naylor has some thoughts on serving in the women's game. "Sabine Lisicki was serving at 123mph yesterday and it looked it. The serve in the women's pro game varies between something that would function perfectly well in men's pro tennis (like La Lisicki's), to something you can see in the public parks - often it's the same player's first and second serve. The men's serves seem to vary less, which makes me question why any woman making it on to the WTA Tour should have a poor serve - but plenty do."

First set: Robson 5-5 Sharapova* Sharapova holds her serve - just - as Robson got within two points of winning the first set. Robson won the point of the match with a pounding shot down the line when she was at full stretch. Sharapova also lost another challenge but eventually held her serve.

First set: Robson* 6-5 Sharapova Robson hold her serve. Sharapova moved into a 15-30 lead but Robson fought back and at deuce produced drop-shot which is something we haven't seen from her so far. She takes the game with the next point as Sharapova mis-cues a baseline return and Robson pumps her fist as she watches it drop out of play.

First set: Robson 6-6 Sharapova* Sharapova moves into a 40-love lead but Robson takes the next two points before a poor return to a Sharapova second serve hits the net and we have a tie-break.

First set tie-break: Robson* 0-1 Sharapova Sharapova breaks first in the tie-break.

First set tie-break: Robson 1-2 Sharapova* ... before Robson breaks back immediately, but Sharapova moves into the lead with her second service point.

First set tie-break: Robson* 3-2 Sharapova Robson wins both her service points, the second another booming serve.

First set tie-break: Robson 4-3 Sharapova* They share the points on Sharapova serve - although Robson didn't have to do anything for her point as Sharapova double-faulted again.

First set tie-break: Robson* 4-5 Sharapova Sharapova shows her class picking off Robson twice with a backhand across court. The set is hers to lose now.

Maria Sharapova win the first set 7-6 Robson challenges a line call on Sharapova's first serve which turns out to have been the correct decision but there was literally millimetres in it. Sharapova wraps up the set on the next serve, which is a cruel blow for Robson. There's been nothing in this set.

"If Sharapova loses this she will join the list of model tennis players whose looks are valued more than their court achievements," writes Ian Copestake. "The men's game doesn't seem to have non-achieving hunk players, unless that is what distracted Henman from potential grand slam glory." Discuss.

Second set: Robson 6-7, 0-1 Sharapova* Sharapova holds her serve in impressive fashion. Within that she also had a successful challenge - the first of her three so far. "I think Henman got his first sponsorship deal because the sponsor's wife fancied him," writes Robert McBride. "It wouldn't be my first choice to financially support someone my wife was after. Is this the done thing?" Who said anything about being after him? I'm beginning to regret opening this can of worms.

Second set: Robson* 6-7, 0-2 Sharapova Robson loses her service game and this spells trouble for the 17-year-old. "Re, if Sharapova loses this," writes Alex Warwick. "She isn't going to lose this. Robson is classic glorious British/English loser. She's got Henman written all over her, not in that way. Maybe in that way. She's just lost the first set in glorious loser style. Oh, so close, nothing in it. There is something in it. Losing it. We love a loser. Come on Tim." That's a bit harsh - she is 17. Maybe it's more British to write someone off the first time something disappointing happens to them, and that disappointing thing hasn't even happened yet. She's just lost a set somewhat unfortunately. I don't know anymore. Strawberries and cream anyone?

Second set: Robson 6-7, 1-2 Sharapova* Robson breaks Sharapova's serve. Take that British naysayers. I'm not going to get all the Ian Copestake abuse over in one entry. I think he can handle it. "Gender politics? Really? You want to go there, Ian?" writes Kristian Petterson, but it's too late for that. "Sharapova non-achieving?" asks Mark Gillespie. "23 WTA titles, including 3 grand slams, and a former world No1? Not sure where achievement starts in Ian Copestakes world, but there's plenty of players who'd give their right arm to have failed as badly as Sharapova." "Dear Evan," writes Rachel Moles. "Kindly tell Ian Copestake that he's an arse. Far from being underachieving, Sharapova is a former World No 1 who has three grand slam titles to her name." Well I think that's that settled.

Second set: Robson* 6-7, 1-3 Sharapova The Russian breaks Robson again without losing a point. This is impressive. The second and winning points were booming, unplayable returns. Also. the grunt count is up to about eight. Robson has joined in a bit t0o. Let's see if we can get to 11.

Second set: Robson 6-7, 1-4 Sharapova* Sharapova holds serve without conceding a point. She served three aces in that game. It's getting away from Robson now. "It is a bit harsh," writes Alex Warwick in relation to his own Robson analysis, "because she's only 17, but then certain parts of the media lauding her is a bit premature. She's probably going to be an average player in what is, it seems to be, a good time to be an average female tennis player."

Second set: Robson* 6-7, 1-5 Sharapova A double-fault hands Sharapova an epic game and the No5 seed will now serve for the match. "Glad to see tennis fans can take my complete sarcasm in good humour," says Ian Copestake. Jonah Gadsby is on his side, however. "Now now now now now that's a bit harsh on Ian Copestake isn't it? It's a fine British tradition to belittle our hapless foreign opposition." Premature praise, gallant defeat and belittling foreigners. Is that what we really think of when we think of Britain? It would seem so. Alex Warwick writes: "Robson wasn't unfortunate to lose the last set. She was beaten by a bit of class and composure. All sports are the same. Unless it's a glaring ref/umpire error, the best team/person wins. Its always the British who are unlucky."

Second set: Robson 6-7, 2-5 Sharapova* Robson breaks back. It was a brilliant game from the 17-year-old who refused to give in - another British trait? - despite Sharapova serving for the match. "The British media will be kind to Laura, and may even try hard to avoid adjectives like plucky, etc, but by comparison the German press would demand more of one of their own and be openly disappointed/critical at a missed opportunity," say Ian Copestake. Would they really, though? Of a 17-year-old playing on a show court in a grand slam event for the first time ever? I'd accept maybe Murray gets an easy ride given his potential but maybe Robson should be given more of a chance?

Second set: Robson* 6-7, 3-5 Sharapova Robson holds her own service game , losing only one point, another screaming backhand return from Sharapova. I think the danger with Robson is if she drifts into the mindset that not quite reaching the highest level is fine as long as everyone likes you and you try hard. There's no reason to think that she will go that way though. Sharapova serves for the match. Again.

Maria Sharapova beats Laura Robson 7-6, 6-3 Sharapova served out the match after another topsy-turvy game. Robson went two-points ahead and then had break point but both times Sharapova fought back and at deuce won an epic, energy-sapping point after Robson dug out to our three points when she looked dead and buried. Sharapova then served powerfully and Robson's return drifted wide and that was that. Maria Sharapova goes through in one hour, 48 minutes.

Post match thoughts Laura Robson is out, but it was a hugely impressive performance. A gallant defeat it may be but Robson showed that she possesses the ability to compete against one of the world's top players – whether she goes and puts herself in that elite over the next few years is up to her. That's it from me. Thanks for all your emails. Final thoughts on a triumphant exit go to Jonah Gadsby. "In reply to this talk of glorious British losers, this is the way losing was meant to be. None of this bloody overhyped "we're gonna win the world cup" football stuff, and no cricket world cup nosedives. Real, honest, hard-working, decent British losing." Hear, hear.

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