Flushing Meadows hoodoo continues
THE wait for a Heather Watson victory in the US Open goes on after she fell to another disappointing first round defeat yesterday.
Despite a lack of competitive action in recent weeks due to a shoulder injury, the 25-year-old Guernsey player went into the final Grand Slam of the year in New York in high spirits.
However, that optimism ended as she was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by Alize Cornet and it means that despite playing in the main draw for seven consecutive years, Watson has yet to ever win a senior match at Flushing Meadows.
Particularly detrimental was her serve, as she finished with a first serve percentage of just 47 per cent success and with seven double faults to her name.
Pull in Heather quotes
The afternoon began badly for Watson, the world No. 74, as she was broken in the opening game by French player Cornet – ranked 28 places higher but herself without a US Open win for three years.
And although she went on to save three set points at 3-5, Cornet then went on to serve out the set.
Watson twice recovered from breaks in an enthralling second set but then crucially lost serve again at 4-4, which allowed Cornet to seal victory in a 96-minute encounter.
