Riding the wave of Andy Murray’s recent success, British teen Laura Robson is making her own headlines on the WTA. The 18-year-old Robson today defeated Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-2 in the semifinals of the GRC Bank Guangzhou International Women’s Open.
By reaching Gaungzhou title match, Robson becomes the British woman to play in a WTA final since Jo Durie did so at the 1990 Newport event. Tomorrow, the lefty will face Su-Wei Hsieh in effort to become the first British women to win a title since Sara Gomer triumphed in Aptos back in 1988.
“I’m feeling good, I played well today,” Robson said. “Sorana is a really tough player to play because she plays so aggressive and hits so many winners.
“I kept trying to take the ball early to take the time away from her and give me more of a chance in the rallies.”
This week Robson has beaten two of China’s best in Zheng Jie and Peng Shuai in addition to Cirstea.
Earlier this month Robson stunned former Grand Slam champions Li Na and Kim Clijsters en route to the fourth round at the US Open. This summer she also reached the semifinals in Palermo.
Robson began the year ranked No. 134 but will climb to at least No. 70. She partnered with Murray to win the silver medal in the mixed competition at the London Olympics.
Hsieh ousted Urszula Radwanska 6-1, 3-6, 6-0.
“She plays quite differently from most of the players and I need to be ready for this,” Robson said. “I played her once before last year in Japan and I lost and all through the match I could never tell what shot she was going to hit next.”
Hsieh won her maiden WTA title earlier this year in Kuala Lumpur.
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