Only those stranded on the moon or some cave could have failed to notice the progress that Laura Robson has made over recent months. This progression, arguably, started with her silver medal at the London 2012 Games in the mixed doubles alongside Andy Murray.
Since then, she has really started to believe that she can become a top player. Success in the 2012 U.S. Open followed with wins against Kim Clijsters and Li Na, before being knocked out by Grand Slam champion Sam Stosur.
Progress has followed in China, where Robson became the first British woman to reach a WTA singles final since 1990. She ended up as the runner-up in the Guangzhou Open final, but it was more signs of progress.
This recent success has seen Laura shoot up the rankings to her current place of 60. This does, of course, make her the new British number one, and she is a full 11 places ahead of her compatriot Heather Watson.
The next obvious target is to break into the top 50, but those plans have been put on hold following her defeat in the second round of the China Open. Nevertheless, Robson's career is definitely moving in the right direction. And her progress in the latter part of this season has produced thoughts on what else she can achieve.
One of those possibilities is the inevitable question of becoming a Grand Slam champion. This is, arguably, the one thing that all elite tennis players are judged on. This is something that has followed Andy Murray since the raw beginnings of his career. But Andy has made that transition from talented hopeful to Grand Slam champion.
Nevertheless, it took him longer than some people would have liked. Laura's results in 2012 will put added pressure on her expectations for 2013. At this early stage of her career, it would wrong to expect her to win one of the four prestigious Grand Slam titles on offer in 2013.
However, there is a lack of consistency in the women's game, with the possible exception of Serena Williams, so there is a definite opportunity to achieve something truly remarkable at such a young age. Nevertheless, winning one could put added pressure on her going forward before she is ready to handle it.
Whatever the future holds for Laura Robson, it can surely only be good for British tennis. But with Andy and Laura, there is every opportunity to have two British Grand Slam champions in 2013.
James Kent has been a tennis fan for many years; he has attended Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in the past, follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
