World's best next up for Heather

HEATHER WATSON will have to beat the world's top junior to reach the semi-finals of the AEGON International Classic event at Roehampton.

But, the encouraging news, is that the island star has done it once before and is in good form on the grass courts of the Bank of England club.

Yesterday, Watson came from a set down and on the verge of 1-4 behind in the decisive third set to beat the Croatian Ajla Tomljanovic, seeded six to Watson's nine.

Watson's UK coach, Andrew Fisher, described the Guernsey girl's performance as 'a great and gutsy effort'.

After losing the first set 6-4, Watson hit back well to take the second 6-2.

But she was 3-1 down in the third and was forced to save several game points which would have seen her trail 1-4.

But not only did she win that fifth game, she dropped only one more in taking the third 6-4.

Next up for her is France's Kristina Mladenovic, rated the best junior in the world after her recent victory at Roland Garros.

Watson and Mladenovic have met just once previously and that was in Florida during last winter when the Sarnian won a bitter battle.

She is also going strong in the doubles with fellow Brit Tara Moore.