US Open: Li Na v Laura Robson Tip

The bookies don’t see lightning striking twice for Laura Robson at the US Open, but at 7/1 (Bet365) she must rate as great value to follow up success over Kim Clijsters with victory over Li Na.

This is not to under-estimate the Chinese number nine seed who recently won the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati. It is simply recognition of how rapidly the British teenager is improving her own game, which suggests she could be a future top 10 player herself.

Robson’s second round victory over Clijsters was notable above all because it showed her ability to close out a tight match when the stakes were high. After watching her reach the final of the Olympic mixed doubles in London recently, that mental fortitude was perhaps the only element that remained a concern. It’s inevitable at 18-years-old, but this landmark success will fill her with enormous confidence.

Having run Sharapova close twice already, Robson has demonstrated her big match credentials and she has now become a player that all the top seeds will want to avoid in the early rounds.

Li Na isn’t enjoying her best year in the Grand Slams having lost in the fourth round in Australia and Paris and in the second round at Wimbledon. Forget the gulf in terms of rankings, Robson is 12 years her opponent’s junior and very much the one on the up. Aother upset is a distinct possibility on Friday.