We had better start getting used to this. Laura Robson took another leap forward in her rapid rise through the ranks last night when she beat Tzipora Obziler, of Israel, 6-3, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals of the ITF women’s event in Shrewsbury. The 14-year-old Briton produced a performance full of maturity and flair to see off the world No 123, much to the delight of the local crowd, who filled a bank of 200 seats laid on to accommodate the extra interest sparked by her progress.

Robson will next play Maret Ani, the No 2 seed from Estonia, and on this evidence the Wimbledon girls’ singles champion will take some stopping. “Martijn [Bok, her coach] and I talked through the game plan before I went on and it obviously worked,” Robson said. “[The semi-final] is a tough match and I am looking forward to it.”

Three months ago, Obziler was taking a set off Venus Williams at the French Open and last year she reached a career-high ranking of No 75. The 35-year-old was playing in ITF tournaments before Robson was born, but last night she was second best to a girl for whom the sky would seem to be the limit.

Considering her lack of experience, Robson’s performance was hugely impressive. One break, in the eighth game, gave her the chance to serve out the first set, which she duly took, and after saving three break points in her opening service game of the second, she broke twice to secure victory.

Most people connected with her development are keen to play down how far she can go, but Nigel Sears, the LTA’s head coach of women’s tennis, said: “You put a higher hurdle in front of her each time and she steps up to the plate and deals with it.”