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Laura Robson and James Ward progress towards Australian Open

 

Ed White
Friday 13 January 2012 12:36 GMT
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Laura Robson made 32 unforced errors in her defeat to Anabel Medina Garrigues
Laura Robson made 32 unforced errors in her defeat to Anabel Medina Garrigues (PA)

Laura Robson and James Ward both progressed through the final round of Australian Open qualifying in Melbourne but fellow Brit Naomi Broady fell in the second round.

Robson, seeded 14 in qualifying, eased through in straight sets against Italy’s Anna Floris recording a comfortable 6-3 6-4 victory.

The 17-year-old saw off her opponent in 56 minutes will now face either Kiki Bertens of Holland or Ukrainian Olga Savchuk for a place in the first round for the first time.

Ward, who came from a set down in his first round match against Inigo Cervantes-Huegun, again faced a battle to overcome Ivo Minar of the Czech Republic.

The 24-year-old took the first set 6-3 before Minar blew him away in the second, claiming it 6-1 to force a decider.

But the British number two kept his cool to advance past the world No. 180 by taking the final set 6-3 and set up a match against Dutchman Igo Sisling.

Broady failed to reach the final qualifying round after losing to American Alison Riske 3-6 6-2 6-0.

The 21-year-old started confidently and outplayed her opponent in the first set to take it 6-3 but her performance dropped throughout the rest of the match.

British No. 1 Andy Murray, fourth seed in Melbourne, will play Ryan Harrison in the first round after the draw was made last night.

Heather Watson, who took Maria Sharapova to three sets at the 2011 US Open , faces a tough first round match against third seed Victoria Azarenka.

Elena Baltacha meets Stephanie Foretz Gacon of France with Kim Clijsters a potential opponent in the second round. Anne Keothavong meets Mona Barthel.

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