WTA Memphis: Watson battles though to Quarter-Finals

By Ros Satar

Heather Watson (GBR) def Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) 2-6, 6-0, 6-3

British no. 1 Heather Watson faced off against Andrea Hlavackova with a 2-1 lead in their head-to-head, having beaten the Czech in Memphis in 2011, and again in Tokyo last year.

Watson had the benefit of two clear days off after a marathon tussle which ended just shy of three-and-a half hours on Sunday.

Hlavackova got off the quicker, winning the first three games, and putting the world no. 41 on the back foot.

Watson finally stopped the run of games with a hold to love to get on the board at 1-4.

Watson survived her first test in serving to stay in the first set, but Hlavackova saved a break point to take the first set 6-2.

It was a different story for Watson in the second set, breaking the Czech twice to stretch to a 5-0 lead, and a double fault from Hlavackova handed Watson the second set with a bagel.

The third set started as a much closer affair, starting on serve, without repeating the pattern of breaks from the first two sets.

First blood went to Watson, breaking Hlavackova to love and holding her next service game, to edge ahead 5-2 in the deciding set.

The Czech held to make Watson serve for the match.

It was a nervy affair, with Watson having to save two break-points, and dishing out a double fault to pass up a second match point.

The third time was the charm, in a little under two hours, as Watson advances to face Switzerland’s Stefanie Voegele (ranked 89) in the quarter-final.

Picture Credit: Keith Allison (Creative Commons Licence)