Home
Ros Satar

Watson v Voskoboeva – WTA Indian Wells R1 Preview

Ros Satar
Tennis

Embed from Getty Images

By Ros Satar

  • Heather Watson v Galina Voskoboeva
  • H2H: Watson leads head to head 1-0

INDIAN WELLS, USA – Heather Watson bids to hold on to her British No. 2 ranking not to mention following up winning her third title in Monterrey when she faces Galina Voskoboeva in the first round of Indian Wells.

Britwatch Tennis:

Watson has hit a great run of form at just the right time, snapping a three match losing streak from the Hobart quarter-final in the best way possible by gutsing out a tough win over Kirsten Flipkens in the final, coming from a set down.

It has admittedly been a while since she last met Voskoboeva, beating her in Memphis in 2013, in a tough three setter, and this could be the same. Benefiting from a wildcard into the draw, she hopefully will feel a bit fresher.

Voskoboeva plays a fairly powerful game, especially on her forehand and serve, but she believes she has some good variety, which is probably why their encounter in 2013 was so close.

But the Kazakh has had some rough luck with injuries, and only came back to the court this year in mid February this year at the ITF level.

There is no doubt that Watson is match sharp, but there is a worry of the flatness that can sometimes follow a solid result. However, given Voskoboeva’s lack of match play, and Watson’s hopefully improved confidence, this ought to be winnable for her.

With Naomi Broady snapping at her heels and making the Kuala Lumpur quarter-finals, Watson was in danger of slipping to be the British No. 3, but her title win pushed her 32 places up the rankings, and she sits just outside the Top 50 again.

British women’s tennis is looking solid at the moment with Laura Robson and Johanna Konta also in the main draw. Sadly Broady had to withdraw from qualifying rounds after going deep at the BMW Malaysian Open.

Watson and Voskoboeva are scheduled in Stadium 1, at 11am (7pm GMT).