Laura Robson meets her teen match

Laura Robson

Laura Robson seldom comes up against fellow teenagers these days, let alone one ranked higher than her, but the 18-year-old Briton had the misfortune to be drawn against one of the USA's outstanding young talents in the first round of the Hobart International yesterday.

Sloane Stephens, who won a hard-fought match 6-4, 7-6, is 38 in the world, 15 places above Robson, and at 19 has risen quickly into the top ranks.

Heather Watson pulled out of the tournament because of an elbow injury but is hoping to be fit in time for the start of the Australian Open next Monday.