Stephens ends Watson's run in Eastbourne
HEATHER WATSON has played her final competitive match before heading to Wimbledon.
Following her heroics in coming from a set down to beat the 11th seed Elina Svitolina on Tuesday in the second round of the Aegon International in Eastbourne, the British No. 1 was unable reproduce the same form last night when she returned to Centre Court at Devonshire Park to face Sloane Stephens.
But, to be fair, the hard-hitting American barely allowed the Guernsey player a chance to get into her stride.
Watson quickly found herself trailing 4-0 in the opening set after an early double break by Stephens, who is ranked 21 places higher than her Sarnian contemporary.
From the very first point, Stephens oozed confidence, ghosting forward after a crisp return to punch away a volley that left Watson scrambling.
As the winners continued to flow, the American clinched the set.
Urged on by her home crowd, Watson acquitted herself better in the second, but there was to be no comeback, Stephens closing out an impressive 6-2, 6-3 victory after 1hr 20min.
