Sofia Arvidsson rallies past Laura Robson – Fed Cup WG II Play-offs 2012
World number 53, Sofia Arvidsson, got the better of the British teenager, Laura Robson, in a three set thriller at the Fed Cup World Group II Play-offs 2012 on Sunday. She clobbered a 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 victory against the 18-year-old, ultimately awarding Sweden
a 4-1 victory against the Great Britain team.
The Swedish number one displayed exceptional skills in the third rubber and after earning the limelight, she secured a 3-0 victory against the British team.
Swedish captain Maria Standlund-Tomsvik stated in a post-match press conference, “Sofia was so strong because I think Laura played an unbelievable match; she did really well. She played so fast so it was kind of hard for Sofia to build up her own game,
she was on the defensive a lot, but she is so much stronger now physically so her defense has really improved and that is what saved her and us today.”
The 28-year-old assertively entered Borashallen indoor hard courts and with the help of two breaks of serve, she jumped to a 5-1 lead. Despite losing her serve after that, Arvidsson swiped in another serve on her fifth set point to bag the opener with a
6-4 win.
Robson carried her spark from the end of the first set and after breaking the Swede’s serve in the fourth game, she jumped to a 3-1 lead. She then capitalised on another break opportunity in the sixth game before serving out the set with conviction.
In the final set, the Brit was hitting fabulous winners but was eventually underplayed by Arvidsson after getting broken down at 2-4. The Swede then maintained consistency in his game and consequently pulled out the decider with a 6-3 score line.
All in all, the British youngster played her best tennis and she was praised by everyone after the match.
Robson was quoted: “I am pretty upset but my teammates are proud of me. Maybe in a few days I'll think it was a pretty good effort but right now I'm devastated. “
In the fourth rubber, Johanna Larsson battled past Anne Keothavong with a 7-6(6), 3-6, 6-4 victory and extended her country’s lead to 4-0.
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