Robson has risen to 262 in the world rankings

British teenager Laura Robson shrugged off the furore over a magazine interview by qualifying for the Aegon Classic in Birmingham.

The 16-year-old apologised on Thursday for making disparaging remarks about her fellow players in Vogue.

But she made the most of a wildcard into the Birmingham qualifying draw, beating fifth seed Nina Bratchikova in the first round.

On Sunday, opponent Vitalia Diatchenko retired while trailing 6-3 4-0.

"I don't really know what happened to her or why she pulled out because it was in the middle of a game," Robson said afterwards.

"I thought I was dictating the whole match, particularly on my service games, so that she didn't really have a chance.

It means the 2008 Wimbledon junior champion will play in a top-level tournament for the first time by right, having received a wildcard for Wimbledon last year and Luxembourg the year before.

"Usually I lose last round of qualies, so that's really good!" she joked.

Naomi Cavaday narrowly failed to match Robson's success, losing on a third-set tie-break to Sesil Karatantcheva.

However, Robson joins a strong British contingent at the Aegon Classic, which begins on Monday.

Elena Baltacha, Katie O'Brien and Anne Keothavong made it into the main draw by right, while Mel South, Heather Watson and Naomi Broady were awarded wildcards.

The top seed is Li Na, while second seed Maria Sharapova is targeting her third title having won in 2004 and a year later.

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