Robson reaches semi-finals

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Laura Robson admitted she had a lucky escape in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open girls' singles today.

With Robson a set up but trailing 5-1 in the second, her Romanian opponent Elena Bogdan rolled an ankle and was forced to take a medical time out to get it strapped.

Although the fourth seed returned to the court and Robson held serve to be 5-2 down, it was clear Bogdan was in no fit state to play and she was eventually instructed by tournament officials not to continue to hand Robson her place in the last four.

"After the second set we were due to be suspended anyway (because the Extreme Heat Policy had been invoked) so I'm sure she would have loved to have that break," said the Wimbledon junior champion.

"But to me it seemed like she couldn't even walk or serve or do anything so it would have been tough for her to play.

"It was really unlucky that it happened to her. She was really sad so I felt really bad for her."

Robson was certain the correct decision had been taken, though.

"I have a problem if there's something wrong with a person, I find it hard to get the ball in the court," Robson explained.

"Last week I played a girl and she kept falling over and every time she fell over I'd miss the next ball. So that seemed like it happened today. Luckily for me she was forced to stop."

Robson said the conditions at Melbourne Park were almost unbearable as temperatures moved past 40 degrees Celsius.

"I was struggling in that second set because I could barely breathe and it felt really muggy," she said.

"It's unfortunate for her, because I think if it had gone to a third set she would have had a very good chance to win."

Robson, who was born in Melbourne, will face top seed Noppawan Lertcheewakarn, of Thailand, in the last four - the girl she beat in the final at Wimbledon last year - after she defeated Anna Orlik of Belarus 6-1 6-0.

"She had an easy win today against my doubles partner so that's not the best confidence boost," joked Robson.

"I've played her before and I saw her play a lot last summer. It might not be the best idea to bring up the match with my partner but I'll speak to our coach.

"I maybe won't have as much advantage with my serve as I did the last time because it skids on grass but I think it will be a good match."