Battling Laura Robson knocked out in Palermo semi-finals

Britain's Laura Robson has been defeated in the semi-finals of the Italiacom Open in Palermo, going down in three sets to eighth seed Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova.

The 18-year-old, who was appearing in her first WTA Tour semi, got off to a storming start by taking the opening set 6-2.

As both players dropped serve twice in the second it was the Czech who found a decisive third break to clinch it 7-5.

Zahlavova-Strycova proved too much in the third as she saw out the match 6-2.

Despite the defeat Robson has moved up in the world rankings to 91st place, becoming the youngest player in the top 100.