Robson hopeful of raising game for Wimbledon

Robson thrilled the nation last summer when she partnered Andy Murray to a silver medal in the mixed doubles during the Olympics, but her form has been up and down since. The 19-year-old has suffered disappointing early exits to weaker opposition in Doha, Dubai, Indian Wells and most recently in Birmingham, where she lost to world No 60 Daniela Hantuchova.

Those results have come alongside much better performances in grand slams such as the Australian Open and the US Open, where she claimed the prize scalps of Petra Kvitova and Li Na respectively. She therefore hopes she can raise her game again at the All England Club in just over two weeks’ time.

“I tend to play well in the big matches so I’m hopeful it will stay that way for Wimbledon,” Robson said. “I think all players tend to try to hit their best around the slams and peak for those events. I practiced at Wimbledon on the courts this morning so I’m getting ready and hopefully it will go well.”

Robson’s performances in majors, and her recent victory over Venus Williams in Rome, mean she has climbed the rankings. Her current position of 37 gives her an outside chance of being seeded for Wimbledon. The fact that she has not been seeded has gone against Robson in the past as she has been drawn in the first round against big names like former world No 1  Jelena Jankovic and former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone.

“I’m not quite sure if I will be seeded. Hopefully I will be, but then you always just have to beat who’s in front of you so I am happy either way,” Robson said.

Elena Baltacha continued her Wimbledon preparations in style yesterday by reaching the Nottingham Challenge semi-finals. The former British No 1 defeated Czech fifth seed Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-4, 6-4. Italian fourth seed Natassja Burnett is up next today after she beat American Madison Brengle 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.