Heather Watson in the third round of Wimbledon 2022, London, UK
Heather Watson in the third round of Wimbledon 2022, London, UK | (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Tennis | Wimbledon 2022 | Heather Watson faces Jule Niemeier for a quarter-final spot

By Ros Satar

  • Heather Watson v Jule Niemeier
  • H2H: Watson leads 1-0
LONDON, UK – Heather Watson is in new territory as she faces Jule Niemeier in the fourth round.

 

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Heather Watson def. Kaja Juvan 7-6(6) 6-2

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Heather Watson’s confidence must be growing by the bucketload as she came through a tricky match-up against Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan. In a competitive first set, Watson was the first to put pressure on Juvan’s serve, but a few games later the breakthrough went to the Slovenian.

Watson held her nerve to break back straight away and held on for the first set tie-break, where she swiftly jumped out to a 5-2 lead. However, Juvan ploughed back four set points before Watson finally closed it out.

Perhaps missed chances in tat tie-break lingered for Juvan, as she seemed lost while Watson carved out a 5-0 lead. But as she came to serve out her place in the fourth round of any Slam, tightness crept in and Juvan was quick to leap through the door, breaking Watson and finally holding her serve.

Watson was forced to save four break points before finally booking her spot with her first match-point.

 

Heather Watson v Jule Niemeier | H2H & Match Fundamentals

Heather Watson v Jule Niemeier H2H: First Meeting
Wimbledon London, UK
Grass (O) Prize Money: £190,000
First on Court No. 1 at 1pm BST BBC Sport

 

Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022 – Grass)

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H2H: Heather Watson (WR 121) Jule Niemeier (97)
Tournament Previous Best R3 (2015, 2017) Qualification(2021)
1st Serve Return Points Won % 39.8 43.6
Return Points Won % 44.1 48.0
Break Point Conversion % 46.6 51.7
Break Points Saved % 61.6 58.3
Total Points Won % 51.6 53.8

Despite having more grass court matches under her belt, Watson can only edge Jule Niemeier in terms of saving break points but trails slightly behind in all other areas

 

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Playing Styles & Prediction

The pair met in Monterrey, while Watson was still struggling a little with her form, and Niemeier already had qualification under her belt, pushing Watson to a three set win.In Niemeier will want to get some free points off her serve, and will force Watson to mix things up in every way possible.

Watson has experience and the crowd behind her, but this will be a challenge as the German is no pushover and another three set rollercoaster is most likely on the cards

Prediction: Watson in three sets.

 

 

 

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