Young guns surprise 12th seeds in straight sets

Young gun wildcards Laura Robson of Britain and Australian Sally Peers have defeated experienced 12th seeds Chia-Jung Chuang of Chinese Taipei and Czech Kveta Peschke 6-3 6-4 in round two of the women’s doubles at Australian Open 2010 on Friday.

Teenagers Robson, 16, and Peers, 18, made up for failing to qualify for the Open’s singles tournament by waltzing into the third round of the doubles event, outclassing their higher-ranked opponents in straight sets.

Games went on serve early in the match as the Robson/Peers pair, both wearing bright yellow outfits, went point-for-point against Chuang and Peschke, who won the Hobart International doubles earlier in the month.

It was the wildcards who broke first, with Robson showing the form which saw her to reach the final of the Hopman Cup with men’s world No. 4 Andy Murray with her excellent net play.

In the eighth game, Robson and Peers set up three break points following a forehand return winner from the Brit, and they converted the break to lead 5-3.

Robson sent down several blistering serves the following game, and the British-Australian duo took the first set 6-3.

In the second set, Australian Open 2007 doubles finalist Chuang’s serve was under pressure, and Robson/Peer immediately broke the 12th seeds to lead 1-0.

The next game of the second set was a critical one for Chuang and Peschke, as they challenged Robson serve and grabbed two break point opportunities at 15-40. Robson was up to the task, though, sending down two strong serves, including an ace to stay in the game.

Peers was also in good form both at the net and from the baseline, and the duo held off another two break opportunities to hold 2-0.

The momentum seemed to shift as Chuang and Peschke tried to get back in the match, and they had their opportunity in an epic seventh game with Peers on serve.

Chuang was brilliant at the net, sending a volley deep into the left tram lines to get two break point chances, but it took a double fault from Peers to finally clinch the break on their fifth attempt and level at 4-4.

Robson and Peers broke back immediately after a difficult overhead smash from Peers set up their third break opportunity, which they easily converted and took a 5-4 lead.

The young pair served out the set and the match, advancing into the third round to play either Agnes Szavay/Roberta Vinci or Vera Dushevina/Anastasia Rodionova.

This is the first time Robson and Peers have played together, and their partnership only happened after Peers’ normal doubles partner, compatriot Isabella Holland, withdrew from the tournament.

Current Match on Court 7 Court 7 - Women's Doubles - 2nd Round Chia-Jung Chuang TPE (12) Kveta Peschke CZE (12) 3 4 Sally Peers AUS Laura Robson GBR 6 6