Aegon Classic: Laura Robson defeated by Katerina Siniakova in just 80 minutes after short-lived joy

Edgbaston has drawn its strongest ever field, but Simona Halep, the world No 5, has had to pull out because of an Achilles problem

Laura Robson in action at the Aegon Classic (Getty)

Laura Robson’s spirits were briefly lifted by her victory over Varvara Lepchenko in the first round of qualifying for this week’s Aegon Classic at Edgbaston, but the former Wimbledon junior champion was brought down to earth in the second round.

Having recorded her best victory for nearly three years following her return after wrist surgery, Robson was soundly beaten 24 hours later. Katerina Siniakova, the world No 102, beat her 6-1,6-3 in just 80 minutes.

The only time when Robson’s hopes rose were when she went 2-0 up at the start of the second set, but Siniakova recovered to 2-2, upon which the match was suspended because of rain.

When they returned the Czech won four of the next five games to complete her victory. Another Briton, Gabriella Taylor, was beaten 6-3, 6-4 by another Czech, Kristyna Pliskova, in the first round of qualifying.

Edgbaston has drawn its strongest ever field, but Simona Halep, the world No 5, has had to pull out because of an Achilles problem. “I started to feel it since I came here,” the Romanian said. “I have some fluid inside the tendon so the doctor says that I have to rest for a few days. It’s nothing serious but it’s a bit sore. I have almost two weeks to recover before Wimbledon so I will take a few days’ rest and then some treatment and then start to play again.

“I’m really disappointed. This was my first tournament on grass and it was important to have some matches but I cannot change things. It’s important to take care of my body.”

Karolina Pliskova, the sister of Kristyna, won the title at the Aegon Open in Nottingham, beating Alison Riske 7-6, 7-5. France’s Kristina Mladenovic won the women’s title at ’s-Hertogenbosch, beating Coco Vandeweghe 7-5, 7-5 in the final.