‘Getting older sucks’ says a rueful Watson

Watson had battled back from 4-1 down early on against the current British number one to lead 5-4, only to lose her serve in both the 10th and 12th games allowing Kartal to clinch the opening set.

Then, with Kartal having taken a 2-1 lead on serve in the second set, Watson called a time out to receive medical attention for what appeared to be an injury to her right leg.

Although play resumed after a lengthy break, it soon became evident Watson was in no fit state to continue, at which point she forfeited at 4-1 and a set down.

This was Watson’s fifth match here in the space of six days and her fourth in the past four on the way to the final.

Her semi-final on Saturday had been an energy sapping three-set affair against Simona Waltert of Switzerland, whereas Kartal had benefitted from her opponent retiring early in the second set of their last four encounter.

In professional sport, such small margins count.

Kartal had won 28 of her previous 31 singles matches, a remarkable run which has seen her soar into the world top 100.

Watson was always going to have to be at her best in order to prevail which, at times in the first set, she was.

However, once that leg muscle had been tweaked, there was only ever likely to be one winner.

‘Getting older sucks,’ said the 32-year-old Watson afterwards with a smile despite her misfortune.

‘Today wasn’t my day and I’m just sorry for everyone who came that that’s the way it ended. But it’s been a great week. The atmosphere here has been amazing and Shrewsbury has the best coffee shops, so it’s been an absolute pleasure being here.

‘I can look back with a lot of satisfaction on the past few days. The draw’s been packed with good players and all the matches have been tough in their own different ways. Each match has played out differently and given me different things to deal with. I just didn’t plan on having to deal with this.

‘Congratulations to Sonay though. We’re good friends and it’s great to see her doing so well.’