Wimbledon 2009: Happily there is no sting in the tail for Laura Robson

After Andy Murray’s mission of a match on Monday, British tennis’s other marquee name couldn’t have had a more polar experience.

The most problematic incident for Laura Robson during her straightforward 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Sally Peers came when a bee chose the exact moment when the No 2 seed was serving for the match in which to come in for a kiss. But, as with her opponent across the net, Robson swished the little blighter aside and swept into the third round of the girls’ singles.

Considering her opponent’s provenance — she hails from Australia — raucous crowds were expected. But the yellow-jersied spectators who had belted out booze-fuelled verses of Waltzing Matilda so boisterously for Lleyton Hewitt were already queuing outside the grounds for entry today. Speculation that Rolf Harris, spotted walking around the grounds, might come and offer support with his wobble-board in their absence proved unfounded.

Which was a shame; this match needed something more. Peers is a decent enough player, indeed she was in the girl’s doubles final here last year, but Robson outclassed her as soon as they appeared on Court 4 for the festivities. There was a promising moment when Peers’ parents accused Robson’s team of offering illegal coaching, but, like their daughter, their challenge lacked a follow-through and was as easily ignored as that bee.