When Laura Robson was 14 years old, full of teenage immortality, she declared she would one day “take down” Venus Williams.
It's probably fortunate for Robson that the two didn't meet until she was 19. Williams, now 32 and largely inactive due to injuries and ailments since the dominance she displayed in her prime, wasn't much of a match for Robson in Rome. The two played in a clay court tournament to prepare for the French Open, with the young up-and-comer trouncing the Hall of Fame veteran, 6-2, 6-3.
The match was difficult to watch and play in, with gusts of wind constantly interfering and making it difficult to serve. What's more difficult is watching Venus get picked apart competition she used to bat an eyelash to beat. Robson is no scrub, but she's not likely to win too many major titles. The way Venus is playing, she's not likely to win too many more professional matches, and it may be time for her to consider retirement.
Serena Williams, however, is still out there gunning for more trophies. She's the top seed in Rome, and will immediately get a chance to avenge her sister when she meets Robson in the next round.
