Robson beaten in Dubai

Laura Robson was beaten by Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva in the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Robson, the world number 45, lost 6-4 2-6 7-6 (8/6) in two hours 21 minutes to her 18-year-old opponent.

The British number two started well by racing into a 2-0 lead in the first set, but was immediately pegged back as Putintseva took the opener.

Robson responded well in the second set, but Putintseva held her nerve in the tie-break to book her place in the next round.