29 Jun 2013

Robson to face Erakovic on outer courts

10:01 am on 29 June 2013

The Wimbledon schedule is out and the New Zealand tennis number one Marina Erakovic will surprisingly play her third round match against Britain's Laura Robson on Court Two on Sunday, rather than the prestigious Centre Court.

Speculation was rife that the All England Club organisers would put the teenage local hope on the main stage against Erakovic, whose second round doubles match was postponed because of rain.

Robson booked her place in the third round for the first time by beating Colombian qualifier Mariana Duque-Marino 6-4 6-1.

Dubbed the "next big thing" in the British game five years ago when she won the junior Wimbledon title as a 14-year-old, Robson was given the unexpected honour of playing on Centre Court after her match was postponed by rain on Thursday.

With the rest of Wimbledon under rain covers all eyes were on Robson but after a nervy start she eventually dealt with the occasion, and the unexpected position of starting favourite, superbly and Duque-Marino had no answers to the 19-year-old's forehand fusillade.