Bournemouth in the bag - next stop Brits

HEATHER WATSON has won her first open age group singles title. The 15-year-old Sarnian sensation made it three tournament wins in four weeks as she won the women's event at the 86th Bournemouth Open.

Watson had the measure of her opponents in the early rounds but the final was a thrilling encounter with Michelle Farley. The teenager came out on top 7-5, 6-4.

'It was a tougher tournament than my previous one in Winchester,' Watson said.

'I think that is because in Winchester I was in the under-16s and under-18s whereas in Bournemouth I was in the under-18s and ladies.

'Although I won the final, I thought I didn't play as well as I could have. I found a way to win on a bad day.'

Saturday's final was played in very hot conditions, but that did not bother Watson.

'I enjoyed playing in the heat and it was just like my training conditions at the Bollettieri Academy in Florida. I also like the clay at Bournemouth.'

As usual, her mother Michelle was there to support Watson.

'I am very proud of Heather and the fact that her name will be on the roll of honour at the Bournemouth club and for the ladies' singles title.'

The Guernsey girl, however, was very disappointed to lose in the quarter-finals of the under-18 event, despite it being against the number one seed Leresa Easterbrook. The score was 6-4, 6-4.

'If I had got past Leresa I would have been confident of winning the under-18 title as well. But, just as in the ladies' final, I didn't play well,' Watson said.

'I have played in a lot of matches recently and can't be at the very top of my game in every one.

After completing those two events, it was on to the British under-18 qualifiers, also held in Bournemouth.

On Sunday the Sarnian won her two matches and is now in the main draw of 32. She already has automatic entry to the under-16s. The nationals start on Sunday.

'Heather had a particularly tough draw against Nicole Patter-son from Yorkshire. Nicole's style was very similar to Heather's in that she was a hard, aggressive hitter and Heather had to keep her concentration to subdue her,' Michelle Watson said.

'We now have a week off to prepare for the nationals where all the best British under-16s and under-18s are competing.'