Doubles delight for Laura Robson as she progresses to next round

Laura Robson celebrated her 16th birthday by winning her women's doubles first-round match at the Australian Open.

Robson teamed with Australia's Sally Peers to beat experienced American duo Jill Craybas and Abigail Spears 6-3 7-5.

The match was played before a large and noisy crowd on Court Five with the locals clearly accepting the Melbourne-born Robson as one of their own.

The fans chanted Robson's name while one jokingly handed the rising star a certificate to change residence to Australia.

"They (the crowd) get into it. At Wimbledon they certainly don't make chants up for every change of ends," Robson said.

"It was pretty interesting. I was handed a certificate to sign to be an Australian as well but they said if I wanted my birthday present I had to sign it, so I didn't."

It was a good morning for the British women in doubles action on Thursday with Elena Baltacha and Sarah Borwell also progressing to the second round in their respective matches.

Baltacha followed her upset victory over 30th seed Kateryna Bondarenko in the singles yesterday by partnering Liga Dekmeijere to a 7-5 6-2 victory over Lucie Safarova and Aleksandra Wozniak.

Borwell then completed a hat-trick of win alongside American Raquel Kops-Jones.

The pair defeated Polona Hercog and Petra Martic 6-4 7-6 (7/3).