Laura Robson qualified for the 2012 Australian Open after defeating Olga Savchuk of Russia on Friday. At just 17 years old, the former Junior Wimbledon champion is one of the youngest faces in the tournament. Even more impressive is that she qualified just one month after coming off crutches for a stress fracture in her left shin.
Australian Open 2012, Laura Robson: 17-year-old Looking To Make Name For Herself
“When I first had the injury, I didn’t know if I would be able to play here,” Robson said. “To qualify is really great. I came in with no expectations. I was only playing points in practice for five days before my first match. I am happy with the way I am playing. Hopefully I can go on.”
Robson became the sixth British player to qualify for this year’s tournament--the most for any Grand Slam event outside of Wimbledon since the 1992 Australian Open. Robson hopes to qualify for the London Olympics by making her way into the Top 70 in the world rankings. She will face off against 13-seed and former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic in the opening round of the tournament.
For more on Robson and the Australian Open, follow SB Nation’s tennis coverage.
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