Golubic too strong for Watson in Nottingham
HEATHER WATSON failed to make the most of a bright start yesterday as she was knocked out of the Rothesay Open Nottingham in the second round.
World No. 55 Viktorija Golubic showed just why she is ranked 47 places higher than the Guernsey player by coming through a see-saw opening set before powering through the second to win 7-5, 6-2.
Watson moved well despite having her right thigh heavily strapped due to the hamstring tweak she felt in her first-round victory over Katie Volynets on Monday and started with a service hold to love and dropped just the one point during her next service game as she moved 2-1 ahead in just six minutes.
After that both players came up with some outstanding winners in the first set, but neither managed to gain any prolonged momentum as there were six back-to-back breaks of serve.
However, Watson held the initial advantage, with a chance to serve for the set to 5-3.
Golubic’s heavy slice and single hander off both sides makes her a tough opponent, especially on the grass, and the Swiss player saved a set point to come back and win the set.
After that, thriving with confidence, Golubic took five consecutive games to all but wrap up the win in an hour-and-a-half.
