Watson beaten by doubles partner Minnen in Wimbledon first round
HEATHER WATSON’S 14th Wimbledon campaign lasted just one hour and 40 minutes after she was beaten in straight sets by her doubles partner Greet Minnen.
Watson, a wild card after slipping to 199 in the rankings, was the first British player in action on day one, but the 32-year-old was also the first to depart after a 7-5 6-4 defeat to the Belgian world number 80.
Having trailed 4-1 in the first set, Watson won four straight games to serve for it at 5-4.
The serve let her down badly, though, as Minnen forged ahead while Watson was admonished by her mother, Michelle, for being 'too lazy to move her feet'.
The second set went with serve until a double fault brought up match point for Minnen which she dispatched to send the former British number one packing.
• There will be a fourth Olympic appearance for Heather Watson in the women’s doubles at the Paris 2024 Games alongside Katie Boulter for Team GB.
