Australian Open 2013: Laura Robson upbeat despite third-round loss

Laura Robson looked for the positives after the Briton was beaten 7-5 6-3 by American Sloane Stephens in the third round of the Australian Open.

The 18-year-old was forced to play through the pain of a shoulder problem which arose ahead of Saturday’s match in Melbourne and had to be treated several times during her straight-sets defeat by the 29th seed.

“I felt something in my shoulder yesterday,” she said. “But we still don’t know what it is because I haven’t had time to see the doctor yet.”

Despite her defeat, Robson feels that her overall performance Down Under this year has been a “massive improvement” on her display 12 months ago, when she was thrashed 6-2 6-0 by Jelena Jankovic in the first round of the Melbourne tournament.

“Last year I lost here 2-0 first round, so [it has been] pretty good. It’s a massive improvement,” said Robson, who sealed a brilliant win over eighth seed Petra Kvitova in round two.

“There’s still so many things that can be worked on. But I toughed out of the two wins. It’s been a pretty good tournament.”

Asked which areas of her game she would like to improve, Robson continued: “Sometimes I still go for a bit too much where I’d be better off playing an easier shot rather than going for winners the whole time.

“I think I can improve on anything. Movement is still an ‘in progress’ thing. Lots of things really.”

Stephens, who faces Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia in the fourth round, believes Robson is set to become a star of the WTA Tour.

“She can be awesome,” she said. “We were coached by the same person. She has unbelievable timing. She’s an awesome girl. She’s pretty. I mean, what more do you want?”