Robson’s efforts are rewarded with Sharapova tie

Laura Robson set up a second-round tie with Maria Sharapova after beating world No 23 Lucie Safarova with a gutsy display on Court 18 at Wimbledon.

The 18-year-old raced in to a comprehensive first-set lead, but she had to dig deep after a comeback from the Czech to wrap up an impressive 7-6 (7/4) 6-4 win.

Guernsey’s Heather Watson followed her lead as she hammered Silvia Soler Espinosa 6-2 6-2.

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Robson, who is ranked 73 places below Safarova, next takes on four-time grand slam champion Sharapova – who she played at SW19 last summer – in the next round.

Watson came into the tournament in great form having become the first British woman to reach the third round of Wimbledon for 10 years.

That helped her climb the rankings to 67th to become British No 1 and, although Soler Espinosa is four places higher, she is much more proficient on clay.

Next the 20-year-old will face a much tougher task against 14th seed Maria Kirilenko from Russia, who reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.

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Elena Baltacha could not pull off a shock against Ana Ivanovic to make it three British wins, the Scot succumbing to a 4-6 6-7 (5/7) defeat on Court 18.

The Ukraine-born player left court in tears in what may be her last singles appearance at Wimbledon.

The 28-year-old will undergo ankle surgery after the Olympics and is not sure whether she will return to SW19.

There were no dramas for world No 1 Roger Federer as he brushed aside France’s Julien Benneteau to reach the last 16 of the men’s singles.

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The pair met in the third round of Wimbledon last month when Benneteau almost pulled off a huge shock as he led Federer by two sets to love before the Swiss turned things around.

Federer, who is the reigning Olympic doubles champion with Stanislas Wawrinka but is looking for a first singles medal, broke serve at the first opportunity and was never troubled as he eased to a 6-2 6-2 victory.

The outstanding second-round match today will see second seed Novak Djokovic face former world No 1 Andy Roddick.

American Roddick came through a tight clash with Slovakia’s Martin Klizan 7-5 6-4.