Laura Robson hopes to win her first Hopman Cup rubber this year against Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
After the glory of 2010 where she reached the final with Andy Murray, scoring a win over a top 50 player in the process, this year's Hopman Cup has been more of a dose of reality for the talented 16 year old.
She put up a good fight against French Open champion Francesca Schiavone but went down 7-5, 6-3 and was then disappointed to lose again in three sets to France's own precocious teen – Kristina Mladenovic.
In contrast Mattek-Sands has enjoyed a superb week so far in Perth. She has confounded expectations in the singles, stunning Schiavone a couple of days ago and her doubles partnership with John Isner has been rock solid.
Ever aggressive, the flamboyant 25 year old has unsettled her opponents with her aggressive ball-striking and net-rushing tactics.
This will be quite a test of character for Robson as she looks to take something out of this Hopman Cup. She will not have seen a player quite like Mattek-Sands in her few years on the tour.
