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RACKET AND RUIN

Wimbledon 2017: Laura Robson becomes first Brit knocked out of Wimbledon with frustrating defeat to Beatriz Haddad Maia

LAURA ROBSON became the first Brit to exit Wimbledon after a frustrating defeat to Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Wildcard Robson, 23, hit far too many unforced errors and failed to cope with her opponent's power as she lost 6-4 6-2 in 1hr 6min.

 Laura Robson looked close to tears at the end of the defeat but she denied she had cried
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Laura Robson looked close to tears at the end of the defeat but she denied she had criedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
 Laura Robson looks down as she fails to get a grip on her opening round match at Wimbledon
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Laura Robson looks down as she fails to get a grip on her opening round match at WimbledonCredit: Reuters

 

The Aussie-born star, who won junior Wimbledon in 2008, has struggled with form and fitness in recent years ever since surgery on her wrist in April 2014 kept her out of the game for 17 months.

Now ranked No189 in the world, Robson was instantly broken in the opening game and found it an uphill battle from there.

She showed glimpses of her natural talent as she held serve for the rest of the set but could not break back and ultimately lost it.

Robson was broken again on her opening service game in the second set, and when Brazilian Haddad Maia, 21, broke again for 4-1, the writing was on the wall.

Former world No27 Robson did manage a fightback, saving four match points in the last game but her 97-ranked counterpart eventually sealed the win by forcing the Brit to fire into the net.

 

 Laura Robson was unable to deal with her opponent's power as she exited in just 1hr 6min
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Laura Robson was unable to deal with her opponent's power as she exited in just 1hr 6minCredit: Getty Images
 Laura Robson pauses for thought on as she struggles in her opening round match at Wimbledon
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Laura Robson pauses for thought on as she struggles in her opening round match at WimbledonCredit: Getty Images
 Laura Robson suffered a frustrating loss in the first round of Wimbledon 2017
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Laura Robson suffered a frustrating loss in the first round of Wimbledon 2017Credit: Reuters

 

 Beatriz Hadid Maia made easy work of the British player in the opening round of Wimbledon
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Beatriz Hadid Maia made easy work of the British player in the opening round of WimbledonCredit: PA:Press Association
 Beatriz Hadid Maia of Brazil hits a return to Laura Robson at Wimbledon
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Beatriz Hadid Maia of Brazil hits a return to Laura Robson at WimbledonCredit: PA:Press Association

Robson said: "I do feel like I let myself down a bit out there.

"I just never really let myself get into the match, just a bit overwhelmed with nerves when I first got out there, then tried to play too perfect when really I didn't need to go for so much.

"I felt emotional, but I wasn't close to tears. I was more angry at myself."

 



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