By Ros Satar
Robson def Kvitova 2-6 6-3 11-9
Laura Robson’s great run at the US Open last year, beating Kim Clijsters, and Na Li in succession was followed up with a three set win over eighth seed and Wimbledon 2011 champion, Petra Kvitova.
A thriller it may have been, at the end, but the start first set was an ugly affair, trading breaks and both throwing in double faults, but it was Kvitova who took the early advantage.
Facing a fellow leftie, Robson was struggling to get on the end of Kvitova’s serve throughout the first set.
Kvitova was not making it easy on herself, littering her service game for the set with three double faults, saving six break points before rounding it off with two aces.
There was a brief moment of concern early in the second set when Robson looked like she was trouble a little by her ankle, but she knuckled down and took four games on the trot from Kvitova.
The teenager, who turns 19 next Monday, failed to serve out the second set on the first attempt, instead handing the break to Kvitova with two double-faults, but settled her nerves to take it on the second attempt.
The third set could not have started any better for Kvitova, going up 3-0.
In a game that registered double figures for both in terms of double faults, Robson was able to just stay in contention.
With the score at 5-5, Robson broke to take the lead in the set for the first time, and to then serve for the match but Kvitova dug deep to break.
At 9-9 Robson broke again, to serve it out for the second time.
Starting her final game with an ace, and with a run of unforced errors from the Czech, Robson beat a former Slam champion.
She joins fellow Brit Heather Watson in the third round, and faces American, Sloane Stephens.
Murray def Sousa 6-2 6-2 6-4
Andy Murray despatched Joao Sousa in straight sets under the hot Melbourne sun, and faces a practice partner in the third round.
He will face Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis, ranked 110 in the world.
Berankis beat the 25th seed Florian Mayer so will be buoyed by equalling his progress through the rounds of the Australian Open, having reached R3 in 2011.