By Glenys Furness
- Heather Watson made quarter-final in singles & semi-final in doubles
- The Brit was seeded in the singles
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Heather Watson entered both the singles and doubles of the ITF 100 event. The Brit was third seed in the singles and unseeded in the doubles.
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Brit of the Week
Heather Watson was back on court in the ITF W100 event in Dubai. The Brit entered both the singles and the doubles events. Watson was third seed in the singles and the first round saw the Brit up against Aleksandra Krunić. The Serbian qualifier was no match for Watson in the first set, as the Brit totally dominated and didn’t lose a single game. The second set was much tighter as the Serbian forced a tiebreak. However, Watson took the tiebreak by the scruff of the neck and moved into the next round 6-0, 7-6(3).
In the second round Watson was against Kirsten Flipkens. The third seed broke the the Belgian once in the first set and Flipkens could not break back. The Brit was unstoppable in the second set, and dominated Flipkens who was unable to get back on terms. Watson moved into the quarter-final 6-4, 6-2.
The quarter-final saw the Brit against Kateřina Siniaková. The Czech was fifth seed and was in total control in the first set. Watson was not able to get into the match in the set. The fifth seed took the lead as the Brit could not fight back. The second set however, was much closer. Watson went toe to toe with the fifth seed, until the end of the set where Siniaková broke the Brit serve and moved into the semi-final 6-2, 7-5.
Doubles event
In the doubles Watson teamed up with Anna Blinkova and their first round opponents were Georgina Garcia-Perez & Wang Xiyu. The Spanish/Chinese pair were no match for Watson & Blinkova as the Brit/Russian dominated the first set. The second was a little closer, as Garcia-Perez & Xiyu tried to mount a fight back. Ultimately it was Watson & Blinkova that moved into the next round 6-2, 6-4.
The quarter-final saw Watson & Blinkova against the third seeds Arantxa Rus & Rosalie Van Der Hoek. The Dutch pair stayed toe to toe with the Brit/Russian until Watson & Blinkova were able to break serve and move ahead. The second set saw the Dutch pair try to get ahead, but the seeds were unable to prevent Watson & Blinkova from breaking and move into the semi-final 7-5, 6-4.
In the semi-final the Brit/Russian were against Ekaterine Gorgodze & Ankita Raina. Watson & Blinkova forced a tiebreak in the first set. The Georgian/Indian were outclassed in the breaker winning only one point. Gorgodze & Raina regrouped in the second set, breaking Watson & Blinkova to level the match. The final set was a match tiebreak, which unfortunately Gorgodze & Raina dominated to move into the final 7-6(1), 6-3, 10-2.
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Challenger & ITF Round Up
Jodie Burrage was defeated by Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove in the first round in Dubai 6-4, 6-2.
Billy Harris was defeated by Cem Ilkel in the first round in Antalya 7-6(8), 6-4.
Paul Jubb was defeated by Georgii Kravchenko in the quarter-final in Antalya 6-3, 6-1.
Sacha Modica was defeated by Arthur Cazaux in the first round in Torello 6-4, 6-3.
Patrick Foley was defeated by Roman Andreas Burruchaga in the first round in Torello 6-4, 7-5.
Max Andrews was defeated by Quentin Robert in the quarter-final in Torello 6-1, 6-2.
Emilie Lindh was defeated by Sofia Rocchetti in the first round in Madrid 6-4, 7-5
Doubles Round Up
Emily Webley-Smith with Sofia Shapatava were defeated by Timea Babos & Kristina Mladenovic in the first round in Dubai 6-2, 6-0.
Patrick Foley & Sacha Modica were defeated by Arthur Cazaux & Leandro Riedi in the first round in Torello 6-2, 6-2.
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