Watson bows out in three

HEATHER WATSON'S remarkable run to the semi-finals of the Ariel Junior Nationals came to an end in rain-hit Bournemouth last evening. After a long weather delay the unseeded Guernsey 15-year-old finally got on court against Nottinghamshire's Natasha Marks after several frustrating hours of waiting around.

Watson took the first set 6-3, but lost the second 7-6 on a tie-break and the deciding third 6-4.

It was the third time Watson has lost to Marks, three years her senior, ranked 33 among the UK's top women and playing in the under-18 competition for the final time.

But under-18 debutant Watson again demonstrated the big strides she has made as a result of her training at the Nick Bollettieri Academy in Florida and can now concentrate on next week's under-16 nationals for which she will start among the favourites.

Jo Robinson, the multiple island women's singles champion, was with Watson when she narrowly lost to Marks in Edinburgh last summer.

'They had a really close match last year,' she said.

Robinson added that once Watson had got over the natural disappointment of going so close to a place in the final, she should see her tournament results as very pleasing.

'It's an achievement just to have qualified for the under-18s at 15.

'Within England there are seven different grades of tournament and the nationals is the top grade.'

Before next week's under-16s event there is the little matter of the under-18 girls' doubles, but, for the second successive day in Dorset, the Sarnian's semi-final was held over due to the persistent rain.

Together with partner Sian Bayliss she is due to play Anastasia Nebojanko and Olivia Smith.