This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/jun/28/laura-robson-wimbledon-advance-captures-hearts

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Laura Robson's Wimbledon advance captures public's hearts Laura Robson's Wimbledon advance captures public's hearts
(3 months later)
Laura Robson won the hearts of the British public at Wimbledon after advancing to the third round for the first time in her career, spectators describing her as "an inspiration to young girls across the country".Laura Robson won the hearts of the British public at Wimbledon after advancing to the third round for the first time in her career, spectators describing her as "an inspiration to young girls across the country".
Not only can youngsters admire Robson's prowess on the court, which she demonstrated during a convincing 6-4, 6-1 victory over Mariana Duque-Marino on Friday, but they may also be green with envy after she achieved the arguably more enviable feat of receiving a good-luck tweet from One Direction's Harry Styles.Not only can youngsters admire Robson's prowess on the court, which she demonstrated during a convincing 6-4, 6-1 victory over Mariana Duque-Marino on Friday, but they may also be green with envy after she achieved the arguably more enviable feat of receiving a good-luck tweet from One Direction's Harry Styles.
The 19-year-old is now one win away from becoming the first British woman to reach the fourth round at SW19 since Samantha Smith in 1998. Yet it is Robson's infectious personality, charm and wit, not just her tennis, that arguably make her Britain's most exciting female prospect to emerge in years.The 19-year-old is now one win away from becoming the first British woman to reach the fourth round at SW19 since Samantha Smith in 1998. Yet it is Robson's infectious personality, charm and wit, not just her tennis, that arguably make her Britain's most exciting female prospect to emerge in years.
Shortly after dispatching Duque-Marino under the roof on Centre Court, Robson had the assembled press laughing when describing how jealous "Directioners" had been messaging her on Twitter following her correspondence with Styles.Shortly after dispatching Duque-Marino under the roof on Centre Court, Robson had the assembled press laughing when describing how jealous "Directioners" had been messaging her on Twitter following her correspondence with Styles.
"I actually got an email from Twitter saying 'he's followed you and messaged you', I guess if you're that big-time then Twitter gets involved," said Robson. "But then I looked in my replies and there were thousands of these messages saying 'who is she?'"I actually got an email from Twitter saying 'he's followed you and messaged you', I guess if you're that big-time then Twitter gets involved," said Robson. "But then I looked in my replies and there were thousands of these messages saying 'who is she?'
"I was wetting myself because it was so funny. I think I've gained 20,000 followers and they have no idea who I am. Then I tweeted 'hi to the One Direction fans' and they corrected me: 'we're not fans, we're Directioners'. It's like a whole other world.""I was wetting myself because it was so funny. I think I've gained 20,000 followers and they have no idea who I am. Then I tweeted 'hi to the One Direction fans' and they corrected me: 'we're not fans, we're Directioners'. It's like a whole other world."
Robson then demonstrated her quick wit when asked whether she would like to watch a charity match between Andy Murray and Serena Williams, the prospect of which was raised this week. Asked "Are you interested in seeing that one if they get it on in Vegas?", she replied: "That's interesting wording, I think everybody would watch that."Robson then demonstrated her quick wit when asked whether she would like to watch a charity match between Andy Murray and Serena Williams, the prospect of which was raised this week. Asked "Are you interested in seeing that one if they get it on in Vegas?", she replied: "That's interesting wording, I think everybody would watch that."
Those irate One Direction fans are in the minority when it comes to Robson's support. Yesterday the spectators here warmed to Robson with genuine affection, one fan suggesting that Henman Hill be re-named "Robson's Green" and others insisting she will increase participation at grassroots level.Those irate One Direction fans are in the minority when it comes to Robson's support. Yesterday the spectators here warmed to Robson with genuine affection, one fan suggesting that Henman Hill be re-named "Robson's Green" and others insisting she will increase participation at grassroots level.
"She's an inspiration to young British girls across the country," said Jane Spenning from Brentwood Lawn Tennis Club in Sheffield. "She's going to be a role model, we have noticed that there are more boys joining the club so I think this will make a difference.""She's an inspiration to young British girls across the country," said Jane Spenning from Brentwood Lawn Tennis Club in Sheffield. "She's going to be a role model, we have noticed that there are more boys joining the club so I think this will make a difference."
Helen Tuite from Surrey added: "I think she's genuinely a lovely person and very modest. After the last match she won she was genuinely quite surprised and is not arrogant, she's lovely and she's British.Helen Tuite from Surrey added: "I think she's genuinely a lovely person and very modest. After the last match she won she was genuinely quite surprised and is not arrogant, she's lovely and she's British.
"She's great and she's very gracious and humble. Let's hope she can get to No 1, she's only 19 and has a lot of years in front of her.""She's great and she's very gracious and humble. Let's hope she can get to No 1, she's only 19 and has a lot of years in front of her."
"I do like her very much, she's really improved this year," said Thresea Merredy from Essex. "She just seems a really nice and genuine person with a lovely smile. She's doing great this year.""I do like her very much, she's really improved this year," said Thresea Merredy from Essex. "She just seems a really nice and genuine person with a lovely smile. She's doing great this year."
John McEnroe believes Robson, currently ranked No 38 in the world, will be a top 10 player in less than a year while the world No 1, Serena Williams, said this week that she believed Robson could challenge at the very top.John McEnroe believes Robson, currently ranked No 38 in the world, will be a top 10 player in less than a year while the world No 1, Serena Williams, said this week that she believed Robson could challenge at the very top.
Britain has not had a female grand slam winner since Virginia Wade secured the Wimbledon title in 1977. However, there is real hope that Robson can end that 36-year drought as her career progresses. Earlier in the year Heather Watson also climbed the rankings to ensure the UK had two women in the world's top 50 for the first time since 1987.Britain has not had a female grand slam winner since Virginia Wade secured the Wimbledon title in 1977. However, there is real hope that Robson can end that 36-year drought as her career progresses. Earlier in the year Heather Watson also climbed the rankings to ensure the UK had two women in the world's top 50 for the first time since 1987.
Robson has an excellent chance of reaching the fourth round on Saturday as her opponent, the New Zealander Marina Erakovic, is ranked 31 places below her. The Australian-born player is relishing her next match and insists she is not feeling the weight of public expectation.Robson has an excellent chance of reaching the fourth round on Saturday as her opponent, the New Zealander Marina Erakovic, is ranked 31 places below her. The Australian-born player is relishing her next match and insists she is not feeling the weight of public expectation.
"I knew going into the match today that I was the favourite and I thought I handled that pretty well," she said. "Marina Erakovic has got a big game, a huge serve and a good slice as well – a pretty much perfect game for grass. We'll see how it goes."I knew going into the match today that I was the favourite and I thought I handled that pretty well," she said. "Marina Erakovic has got a big game, a huge serve and a good slice as well – a pretty much perfect game for grass. We'll see how it goes.
"I think I'm handling it pretty well so far. I've had a fair few matches in big stadiums where I've handled the support perfectly fine. I love it when people get involved, sometimes they do a massive groan if I hit a double-fault but I do it as well, so we're just living it together.""I think I'm handling it pretty well so far. I've had a fair few matches in big stadiums where I've handled the support perfectly fine. I love it when people get involved, sometimes they do a massive groan if I hit a double-fault but I do it as well, so we're just living it together."
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.