Robson scrapes into Olympic singles thanks to Martic's late withdrawal

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UPDATED:

01:56 GMT, 28 July 2012

Even by the standards of her remarkable young life yesterday was a day to remember for Laura Robson.

In the morning she was practising at Wimbledon when Microsoft magnate Bill Gates turned up for a hit on the next court, then by teatime she had made it into the Olympic singles event courtesy of the late withdrawal of Croatia’s injured Petra Martic.

As the highest-ranked alternative player on site at 96, she was therefore placed into the existing draw, with her reward a first-round match tomorrow against world No 23 Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic.

Made it: Laura Robson (right) will compete in the tennis singles

Double act: Robson will team up with Heather Watson in the doubles competition

Although the 18-year-old Londoner
lost in the first round of Wimbledon to experienced Italian Francesca
Schiavone, Safarova is unlikely to be too pleased by her change of
opponent as Robson’s left-handed serve and ball striking ability are
starting to look potent on grass.

Today with Heather Watson she tackles
the tough German combination of Sabine Lisicki and Angelique Kerber,
both of whom excelled this year at Wimbledon. Anne Keothavong is the
only home player on Centre Court today as she tackles former world No 1
Caroline Wozniacki.