Let’s hope Heather Watson supporters have long fingernails because at this rate they won’t have any left by Wednesday evening.
Less than 24 hours after staging a spectacular comeback against Caroline Garcia – only for the match to be suspended at one set all due to fading light – the British No.1 was back on Court 12 to finish the job underneath a blazing sun.
And Watson certainly gave her fans, including her grandmother and mother, a scare on the way to her 1-6, 6-3, 8-6 victory over the French No.32 seed when, serving at 4-5, she was forced to fend off three match points.
Not that the Guernsey player seemed aware of the fact. “Did I save three? Somebody told me it was two. I have no idea,” she laughed after the 68 minute final-set tussle.
The French No.2, who is a couple of years younger than Watson and ranked 26 places higher, netted two of those match points and hit another off the frame to hand her a route back into the match.
When you're back on those practice courts in some country just training hard, whatever, and it's not easy. For moments like this, it makes it all worth it
“I only thought for a second that it maybe wasn't meant to be this time,” Watson insisted. “But I said, no matter what, if she wants this match, she's going a have to win it. I'm not going to give it to her. I just stuck in there.”
The Briton had failed to convert a handful of break point chances midway through the deciding set but was given an opportunity in the 13th game thanks to string of errors by Garcia, culminating in a wayward backhand which gifted Watson the break.
Watson, who beat Garcia in Estoril three years ago, closed out the match on her next service game, much to the delight of the partisan crowd, which included her father’s mother.
“This is the second time she's been to Wimbledon,” Watson revealed. “She watched me last year play against Angelique Kerber on Centre Court and she said it was the best day of her life.”
The contented Briton also revealed she had plenty of friends in the stands.
“It just makes Wimbledon so much more exciting for me. I love them here watching and supporting me. Also just the crowd, the support. It just makes the experience really fun. When you're back on those practice courts in some country just training hard, whatever, and it's not easy. For moments like this, it makes it all worth it.”
Watson now faces former world No.5 Daniela Hantuchova and current No.72 in the second round.
