Guernsey Press

Watson's run ends in Brisbane

THE ninth seed today ended Heather Watson's promising run at the Brisbane International.

Published

THE ninth seed today ended Heather Watson's promising run at the Brisbane International.

Dominika Cibulkova, the world No. 23 from Slovakia, proved to be too big an obstacle for qualifier Watson in the first round of the main draw at the premier level hard-court WTA event down under.

Ninety-eight places separate the two players in the world rankings and it showed as Cibulkova triumphed 6-4, 6-3 in 96min.

Watson had enjoyed a successful run of three wins in three days during qualifying to reach the main draw.

In her opening match, which lasted nearly two hours, she came through in two tight sets 7-6 (5), 7-5 against Mandy Minella, the world No. 106 from Luxembourg.

Watson then came up against South African Chanelle Scheepers in her next match and had to fight back from a set down against the world No. 80 before progressing 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 in 93min.

Home player Jarmila Gajdosova stood between the Sarnian and a place in the main draw, with Watson coming through the qualifying final 6-4, 6-4 in 91min.

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