Young star makes semis

HEATHER WATSON reached the semi-finals in her first International Tennis Federation grade four tournament in Canada. The 13-year-old Sarnian, who is in her second year of study at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida, made it to the last four in the under 18 singles competition at Toronto's Mayfair West Racquet and Fitness club.

The number two seed, 16-year-old Alexandra Odell-Michels knocked her out.

Despite reaching the semi-finals on her first attempt on the junior world-ranking circuit, the former Ladies College student was not happy.

'I should have been in that final,' she said.

'I just didn't take the chances I had.'

Odell-Michels took the first set 6-3, but Watson rallied back to take the second 3-6 before the older girl took the third 6-4.

The Canadian then went on to lose in straight sets to American Tara Moore in the final.

For Watson it was a long tournament because as it was her debut, she had to come through the qualifying rounds.

Her coach Thomas Neurt, was pleased: 'Heather is playing very good tennis at the moment,' he said.

'So I am not too surprised she won all her qualifying rounds and got herself into the main draw.'

Due to her performance, Neurt has entered his young charge into next week's El Paso ITF tournament in Texas.

The competition deadline had been missed but he managed to convince the organisers to take her on the strength of her Toronto outing.

Mother Michelle Watson has been amazed by her daughter's capacity to adapt to the standard of tennis played at her first ITF tournament.

Until now the highest standard of competition that her daughter had played had been European Tennis Association sanctioned tournaments and United States Tennis Association events in Florida.

'We are so proud of her and surprised that she has got herself into a U18 tournament semi-final, never mind a ITF tournament at that,' said Mrs Watson.

'This is a big step up towards her ultimate dream of playing tennis professionally.'