Laura Robson beaten in first round at French Open

Laura Robson could not make the most of her second chance at the French Open as she was beaten 6-2 6-1 by 29th seed Anabel Medina Garrigues in the first round.

The 18-year-old Londoner lost from match point up in the final round of qualifying on Friday but was given a place as a lucky loser yesterday when Silvia Soler-Espinosa pulled out with an ankle injury.

She could certainly have been put into the draw in an easier spot, though, with Medina Garrigues one of the best players around on clay. Indeed, the 29-year-old's 10 titles on the surface are the most of any active player.

The first three games got away from Robson, playing her first French Open as a senior, pretty quickly but she dug in well and began to match her opponent.

The 18-year-old's natural power must be the envy of many players ranked significantly higher and she pushed Medina Garrigues, twice creating chances to retrieve the break. But she could not take them and another break gave the Spaniard the first set.

Robson needed a steady start to the second set but again she was broken early and, after missing two more break points in the third game, she began to get a little bit wild.

She at least avoided a love set, holding serve at 5-0 down, but the end was swift in coming, Medina Garrigues repeating her straight-sets victory over Robson in the second round of the US Open last year.

PA