British tennis player Laura Robson ended three-time US Open champion Kim Clijsters' singles career with a shock 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) victory at the US Open.
Robson, who won silver in the mixed doubles with Andy Murray at the London 2012 Olympic Games, hailed Clijsters as one of her "role models" in the immediate aftermath of her victory at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"It was such a good atmosphere," she beamed. "I didn't have any expectations because she [Clijsters]'s so experienced."
It is the first time Melbourne-born Robson has reached the third round at Flushing Meadows and she will now face China's Li Na, ranked number eight in the world. Robson is listed 89th by the WTA.
Clijsters bowed out of singles tennis by reflecting: "One of my biggest dreams came true in 2005" when she won for the first time at Flushing Meadows.
She added it was "the perfect place to retire" before magnanimously paying tribute to Robson, who she stressed "played extremely well".
Clijsters also won the Australian Open in 2011.
