Shot selection key for Robson to advance to later stages of slams

The British No 2 exited the Australian Open at the third-round stage after going down to fellow teenager Sloane Stephens on Saturday.

Stephens was noticeably more patient in the rallies and it paid dividends as she won 7-5 6-3 to secure a place in the last 16.

Asked what she needed to work on to improve her game, Robson replied: “I would say shot selection in the points.

“Sometimes I still go for a bit too much when I’d be better off playing an easier shot rather than going for winners the whole time.

“Against anyone if you try to finish the rally too early, it’s never going to work out that well.”

In her defence, Robson was hindered by a shoulder problem which came on overnight.

“I felt something in my shoulder yesterday but we still don’t know what it is because I haven’t had time to see the doctor,” she added.

“But these things happen and you just have to play through the pain sometimes.”

Although defeated, Robson claimed she could still take plenty from her time Down Under.

“I lost here last year two and love in the first round so it’s a massive improvement,” she said.

“There are still so many things that can be worked on but I toughed out the two wins. It was still a pretty good tournament.”

Maria Sharapova refused to look beyond her quarter-final opponent Ekaterina Makarova despite another lop-sided win yesterday.

Sharapova thrashed Kirsten Flipkens 6-1 6-0 in 68 minutes to move into the last eight and maintain her impressive run in Melbourne.

The Russian has dropped just five games in four matches – including the third round thrashing of Venus Williams – a tournament record since the 128-player draw was introduced in 1988.

With fellow big guns Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams in the top half of the draw the expectation is Sharapova will cruise through to Saturday’s final but the second seed does not see it that way.

She said: “It’s not about waiting to see where you are in the semis or finals, it’s about who is ahead of you. And my next match is against Makarova and I have to do the right things to beat her.

“If I win that, it’s about moving on to the next one. That’s how I go about a tournament.”

Makarova’s love affair with Melbourne continued as she made it through with an impressive defeat of fifth seed Angelique Kerber.

The 24-year-old equalled her best-ever run at a major by downing the German 7-5 6-4.

Li Na, a finalist here in 2011, overcame some nervy moments before seeing off Julia Goerges 7-6 (8/6) 6-1. She will next meet Agnieszka Radwanska, who maintained her remarkable form in 2013 with a 6-2 6-4 win over Ana Ivanovic.

Fourth seed Radwanska has won all 13 matches she has played this year in straight sets, incorporating title wins in Auckland and Sydney.