Laura Robson reaches first career quarter-final at the Italia Open

Laura Robson in action (GETTY IMAGES)

British number four Laura Robson reached her first career quarter-final with an impressive 6-3 7-5 win over second seed and world number 24 Roberta Vinci at the Italia Open in Palermo.

The 18-year-old got off to a stunning start against her Italian opponent, breaking twice as she stormed into a 4-0 first set lead, before holding her nerve in the second set to win 6-3 7-5.

Her win is a major breakthrough for Robson, who pushed former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone to the limit at Wimbledon, and who now plays Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro in the last eight.

The fifth seed beat Anna Tatishvili when the Georgian retired trailing 6-1 3-2. Also in second round action, Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic beat American Julia Cohen 3-6 6-3 7-5.

PA