By Ros Satar
- Heather Watson v Veronika Kudermetova
- H2H: Tied at 1-1
ABU DHABI, UAE – Heather Watson picked up some solid wins in qualifying and now catches a break to face Veronika Kudermetova on her opener instead of Jelena Ostapenko.
 |
|---|
Heather Watson v Veronika Kudermetova | H2H: Tied at 1-1
Heather Watson picked up the notable scalp of Sofia Kenin along with Rebeka Masarova to earn a place in the main draw.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Heather Watson v Veronika Kudermetova | H2H: First Meeting |
| WTA Abu Dhabi | UAE |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $9,820 |
| Fourth on Stadium Court, not before 3:30pm (12:30 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2024)
| H2H: | Heather Watson (WR 156) | Veronika Kudermetova (WR 16) |
| Tournament Previous Best | R2 (2021) | Final (2021) |
| 1st Serve Return Points Won % | 28.6 | 29.6 |
| Return Points Won % | 32.2 | 40.5 |
| Break Point Conversion % | 33.3 | 32.0 |
| Break Points Saved % | 50.0 | 56.3 |
| Overall Service Points Won % | 54.3 | 60.6 |
Not surprisingly Bouzova leads Watson in all but return points won over the court of this year.
 |
|---|
Playing Styles & Prediction
For Watson, it might seem like she caught a break in not having to fce the Linz champion Ostapenko in her opener. But in Kudermetova, she faces a player who has had marginally more success this year than the Brit.
But that is not really saying much – Watson had two first round defeats in Australian, before snapping that streak with two solid qualifying wins, having to come from a set down on both occasions.
Kudermetova is looking for her first back-to-back wins though this season, including a getting first round loss at the Australian Open. On paper the Russian should walk this, but Watson will have her confidence up especially after bouncing out a former Slam winner in Kenin.
However, it will require the Brit to dig deep, and see is she has it in her to maybe draw the match out the distance.
Prediction: Kudermetova in three sets.
How to Watch/Follow WTA Abu Dhabi
| TV | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
| Live Scores | Tennis Scores powered by TNNSLIVE |
 Sign up to PBLC for free to support ongoing contributions from Britwatch Sports |
|---|
| Follow Britwatch - Sport in General, Brits in Particular! | |
|---|---|
| Soundcloud | |
| YouTube | |
| We may receive compensation for products purchased via affiliate links on this website | |