Monday October 15, 2012
Watsons finally wins her first WTA title
OSAKA: Heather Watson edged past Chang Kai-chen of Taiwan at the Japan Women’s Open tennis tournament yesterday to become the first Briton in 24 years to win a WTA title.
The 20-year-old Watson, having played her first WTA final, squandered one match point leading one set and 5-4 hitting a double fault. She had to save four match points in the final set before winning 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4).
She became the first Briton to win a WTA title since Sara Gomer at Aptos back in 1988.
Until a few weeks ago no Briton had even reached a WTA final in 22 years until Laura Robson broke the drought with her run to the final in Guangzhou, China.
Watson has also won three ITF titles, at Wrexham and Toronto in 2010 and at Frinton in 2009.
Watson, who received the winner’s cheque of US$37,000, will be back to the centre court later for the doubles final with Japan’s Kimiko Date-Krumm against top seed Raquel Kops-Jones and Abigail Spears.
Watson will try to become the first Briton to win both the singles and doubles at the same WTA tournament since Anne Hobbs in 1985. — AFP
- Ice queen Nicol into British Open quarters
- National badminton team’s lack of depth a glaring factor in home tourney
- Khim Wah-V Shem perform above expectations in Sudirman Cup debut
- Dane Jorgensen’s wish is to avoid Chinese ace Lin Dan in World Championships
- Dong-keun shows he’s a capable replacement
- Kenichi’s goal is to take Japan into Sudirman Cup semi-finals
- Squash group on final push for Olympic bid
- Indonesia drawn to meet China again – in knockout stage
- Only Nicol David left to fly Malaysian flag
- Australia to consider following ban on anchor putters
- Olazabal urges Woods and Garcia to settle row
- McIlroy slumps as Ilonen shines at wintry Wentworth
- Dominant Williams fearful of enemy within
- Nadal back in old routine and looking invincible
- French slam drought set to drag on at Roland Garros
- Rosberg on top for Mercedes in first Monaco practice
- Evans to lead BMC team in Tour, says team boss
- Sponsor Adidas criticises Garcia over Woods jibe
- Rugby: Former All Black coach Henry on misconduct charge
- Analysis - Has the anchor ban come too late?
RSS
