SARAH BORWELL has reached the second round of a Grand Slam doubles event for the first time in her career after triumphing at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Middlesbrough-born Borwell and partner, American Raquel Kops-Jones, secured a 6-4, 7-6 triumph over Slovakian Polona Hercoq and Croatian Petra Martic.
The victory represents a major milestone for Borwell, who started her career at Middlesbrough’s Tennis World, as it guarantees her place in the world’s top 100 in women’s doubles and enables her to compete in the second round of a Grand Slam doubles event for the first time in ten attempts.
Things are about to get tougher, though, as Borwell and Kops-Jones will face the number 13 seeds in the second round.
The pair take on Argentinian Gisela Dulko and Italian Flavia Pennetta in the third game on Court 13 at Melbourne Park this afternoon.
Laura Robson, meanwhile, celebrated her 16th birthday by winning her women’s doubles first-round match.
Robson teamed with Australia’s Sally Peers to beat experienced American duo Jill Craybas and Abigail Spears 6-3 7-5.
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