New British star set for Calderstones Park

Jun 11 2009 by James Connor, Ormskirk Advertiser

TOURNAMENT director Anders Borg believes he has assembled the best line-up in the history of the Liverpool International.

British starlet Laura Robson is the latest addition to the event which gets underway at Calderstones Park next Wednesday.

The 15-year-old leapt to fame last summer when she became the first Briton to win the Wimbledon girls singles title since 1984.

This year she has been awarded a wild card entry in the main draw and will use the Liverpool International to warm up for the All England Championships.

Borg said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Laura is appearing. It’s great credit to the event that she has decided to do her Wimbledon preparations here in a public park in Liverpool.

“She is one of the most exciting talents in British tennis and adds to an outstanding line-up at this year’s tournament.

“It’s going to be great to see her in action but having said that no-one should put too much expectation on her shoulders because she is only 15. She has many years ahead of her.”

Australia-born Robson made her senior WTA debut in Luxembourg last October and reached the final of this year’s junior girls singles at the Australian Open.

The teenager will become the youngest player to compete at Wimbledon since Martina Hingis in 1995.

“Receiving a wild card from the All England Club means I can play at Liverpool the week before,” she said.

“I know that Caroline Wozniacki has played the event in previous years and I have heard from others that it's a great place to practise before Wimbledon and that it is a great event to get involved in.

“I am really excited about making the trip to Liverpool. I’ve never been before and it’s always great to discover a new place.”

Robson faces a mouth-watering contest against Portugal’s 16-year-old Michelle Larcher De Brito, who also has a wild card for Wimbledon.

Larcher de Brito recently came through qualifying to reach the third round of the French Open but caused controversy with her on-court screaming.

The men’s event boasts a number of ATP stars with Sweden’s Robin Soderling the major crowd-puller.

Soderling knocked out world number one Rafael Nadal on his way to the final of the French Open last week where he lost in straight sets to Roger Federer.

He will be up against highly rated Mardy Fish,who has won two tour titles this year, and fellow American Vince Spadea, who is a two-time Liverpool finalist.

Local hopes will be led by Mossley Hill’s Ken Skupski and his younger brother Neil.

Ken, who has a wild card for the men’s doubles at Wimbledon, goes straight into the main draw, while Neil must battle his way through qualifying which starts this Sunday.

The popular legends showdowns will feature Sweden’sŠMats Wilander and Germany’s Michael Stich, as well as the return of old favourites like Ilie Nastase, Peter McNamara and Mansour Bahrami.

Tickets are available from the Echo Arena, Ticketmaster and by logging on to: www.liverpooltennis.co.uk The Liverpool International starts on Wednesday, June 17 and finishes with the Legends Day on Sunday, June 21.