Robson cruises through in Guangzhou

Laura Robson, pictured, overcame Jovana Jaksic 6-2 6-4
18 September 2013

Laura Robson eased into the second round at the Guangzhou Open as she looked to repeat last year's heroics in China.

The 19-year-old became the first British woman in 22 years to reach a WTA final at the tournament 12 months ago and had no trouble in defeating qualifier Jovana Jaksic 6-2 6-4 at the first hurdle this time around.

Robson eased through the first set with her Serbian opponent struggling on serve, and the world number 35 broke Jaksic three times with the minimum of fuss.

Jaksic improved in the second set but could not stop third seed Robson from breaking her a further two times as she advanced to the second round.

Top seed Sorana Cirstea suffered a shock defeat as she was dumped out in the first round by Bojana Jovanovski, who claimed a 6-2 6-1 win to set up a clash with American Vania King.

Second seed Alize Cornet also had few problems as she brushed aside Belarusian Olga Govortsova 6-3 6-1 and she will now face Karolina Pliskova in round two.

Shuai Peng was handed a tough first-round tie as she took on wild card Shahar Peer but the fourth seed emerged victorious, beating her Israeli opponent 6-3 6-4.

She will next face Brit Johanna Konta, who beat Dutchwoman Richel Hogenkamp on Monday.

Vesna Dolonc upset the odds to defeat Polish fifth seed Urszula Radwanska 7-5 6-2 and earn a second-round clash against Yvonne Meusburger, who beat Lesia Tsurenko 6-3 6-4.

American Varvara Lepchenko was another seed to taste defeat as she lost 7-6 (10/8) 7-5 to Timea Babos, who will face Jie Zheng in the next round.

Jie Zheng beat Yaroslava Shvedova 6-1 6-4, while Saisai Zheng also advanced after beating Luksika Kumkhum 6-7 (3/7) 6-3 7-5 and will face Robson next.

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