You are in > manchester.com  > News > Robson handed WTA wildcard

Tennis

Robson handed WTA wildcard

09/10/2008

British Wimbledon junior champion Laura Robson has been given a wildcard to compete in her first-ever tournament on the senior WTA Tour.

The 14-year-old, who was a surprise winner in the girl's singles at the All England Club in the summer, will enter the main draw at the Fortis Championship in Luxembourg on October 20th.

Her maiden entry to an event on the tour will come one week after she is given an official world ranking for the first time on Monday.

Since bursting into the public consciousness with her run to the final at Wimbledon, Robson has played three tournaments on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) circuit - which is one step below the WTA Tour.

And her exploits show promise of rapid progression after she reached the semi-finals of a competition in Shrewsbury - just her second tournament at that level.

However, the event in the Grand Duchy will see her take a significant step up in class - as she will be included in the draw alongside several big names.

Former world number ones Lindsay Davenport and Amelie Mauresmo and Olympic champion Elena Dementieva have already been confirmed as entrants.

Robson's most recent outing in the ITF saw her knocked out in the first round of this week's tournament in Barnstaple - losing in three sets to world number 143 Angelique Kerber.