Slovakian six-footer edges out Watson

THERE was no disgrace as Heather Watson was knocked out in the first round of Junior Wimbledon.

Playing on court 19 which is in the shadow of the impressive new court one and is bathed in the cheers and roars of 'Henman Hill', the 16-year-old took on Zuzana Luknarova in front of a crowd that built up to more than 500 by the end of the match.

The Slovakian was two years the Sarnian's senior at 18 and it showed physically, as it looked like a woman taking on a girl – with Luknarova touching 6ft and towering over Watson.

But despite that and the fact that Luknarova has a junior world ranking of 51, while Watson's is 227, Watson took the match to three sets and at one point looked good to win it. The under-16 British champion gave it her all and was a disappointed girl afterwards.