Robson's first match in 17 months ends in straight sets defeat

Laura Robson's first match in 17 months lasted just 58 minutes as she was beaten in straight sets by Daria Gavrilova in Eastbourne on Saturday.

Robson, who has been sidelined since last year's Australian Open with a wrist problem, was on the wrong end of a 6-0 6-1 defeat by the world number 41 at the first-round qualifying event for the Aegon International.

Robson, 21, was all smiles as she posed alongside Caroline Wozniacki ahead of her much-anticipated comeback on the practice court on Friday.

But the British star, who accepted a late wildcard entry for Saturday's match, struggled in the windy conditions on the south coast from the very start as she served up four double faults before losing her opening service game.

Robson saved three break points in the final game of the first set, but then lost the fourth as Gavrilova, the top seed for the Aegon International qualifying event, secured a bagel against her British opponent.

Robson got off the mark in her first service game of the second set which raised a smile and drew support from the packed Number One court in Eastbourne.

But Gavrilova, who has managed wins against Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic in 2015, won the next five games to ease to a straightforward victory.

Robson has a career ranking high of 27 and has reached the fourth round of a grand slam on two occasions.

The former British number one could yet be included in the second set of wild cards for Wimbledon, which gets under way on June 29.