Robson keeps British dream alive at Wimbledon

Laura Robson was the toast of Wimbledon again on Friday as she reached the third round for the first time, five years after being dubbed the “next big thing” in British women’s tennis. Robson, who won the junior Wimbledon title as a 14-year-old, was given the unexpected honour of playing on Centre Court after her match was postponed by rain on Thursday and surfed a wave of home support to beat Colombian qualifier Mariana Duque-Marino 6-4 6-1. With the rest of Wimbledon under rain covers all eyes were on Robson but after a nervy start she eventually dealt with the occasion, and the unexpected position of starting favourite, superbly and Duque-Marino had no answers to the 19-year-old’s forehand fusillade. [caption id=“attachment_914693” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  With the rest of Wimbledon under rain covers all eyes were on Robson but after a nervy start she eventually dealt with the occasion. Getty Images[/caption] “It was a great atmosphere out there today and the roof being closed just makes it louder which is really exciting,” said Robson who faces New Zealander Marina Erakovic in the next round with a real chance of making the last 16. 7th-seeded Kerber loses in Wimbledon 2nd round Last year’s semifinalist Angelique Kerber was sent packing in the second round of Wimbledon on Friday after being just two points from victory, joining the long list of seeded players who have crashed out at the All England Club this week. The seventh-seeded Kerber was up a set and ahead 5-1 in the tiebreak of the second set against the 46th-ranked Kaia Kanepi of Estonia, but could not find a way to close out the match. She lost 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3. Kanepi, who reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 2010, won five consecutive points in the tiebreak before taking the set then the first three games of the decider. Their match had been rescheduled from Thursday because of rain. Agencies