Watson on Road to Recovery

Heather Watson is set for a return to action next week after a two month lay-off with a shoulder injury.

The British number three will compete in this weeks Cagnes-Sur-Mer 100k Tournament held in France as she seeks to get some competitive action under her belt before qualification for this month's French Open. In France she will be joined by British number two Johanna Konta.

Watson will be seeking to win her second title of the year after a marvelous victory in the Dow Corning Classic in Midland. She also won the doubles title in Midland to cap off a successful week.

The Guernsey-born star's last competitive fixture was a first round loss to Virginie Razzano 6-4 6-0 at the Sony Open in Miami. Despite the last two months on the sidelines she still sits well inside the top 100 in the Road to Singapore rankings.

With the Wimbledon rankings deadline fast approaching, she will be hoping for a successful week in order to get inside the top 110 and guarantee a spot in the main draw after a lengthy lay-off last year with glandular fever meant she tumbled out of the top 100 and currently sits 122nd.

Watson Wins Midland Title

Britain's Heather Watson claimed her first trophy of the season as she won the Dow Corning Tennis Classic, brushing aside Ksenia Pervak 6-4 6-0.

The Guernsey-born youngster continues her fine start to 2014 as she failed to drop a single set in the second-tier event in Midland.

The victory sees her continued her ascent back up the rankings as she attempts to break back into the top 100 to ensure she avoids having to qualify for Grand Slams. This week she rose nearly 40 places from 161st to 122nd.

During the first set it looked as though nerves may get the better of the youngster as she found herself 4-1 down to a dominant Pervak. However Watson regained her composure, winning the next eleven consecutive games to claim both the first and second set in quick succession.

Her strong start to 2014 will come as a welcome relief, after spending much of 2013 off the court following a long battle with glandular fever. The illness saw her plummet down the rankings, narrowly avoiding dropping out of the top 200.

It was a weekend to remember for Watson as she followed up on her singles success with a hard-fought victory in the doubles finals as well. Alongside her partner Anna Tatishvili, she won the title after a nervy Championship tie-break decider in the third set against Sharon Fichman and Maria Sanchez.

Published on SEaT Capital.

Watson Storms Into Semis

Heather Watson secured a place in the Dow Corning Tennis Classic semi-final after a convincing 6-3 6-2 victory over fourth seed Olga Govortsova.

Watson has looked in impressive form in Midland having not dropped a set so far. She came into the tournament on a high after a number of impressive victories in the Fed Cup.

Before this match Govortsova had played British opponents on ten separate occasions, never losing a match. However she was outclassed today by Watson, who never looked troubled by her Belarusian opponent.

After a number of early breaks in serve, Watson emerged with a break advantage at 4-2. From there she held serve twice to claim the first set 6-3.

In the second set Govortsova had no reply to the dogged Brit and quickly found herself 5-1 down. Despite saving one game she succumbed to Watson in the next game, losing the second set 6-2.

Watson will be pleased with her progress in Midland and a victory in the tournament could see her rise almost 40 places to 122 in the world rankings.

The Guernsey born star is looking to recover after missing a large portion of last season through glandular fever left her a long way ourside the top 100.

In the semi-final Watson will play the experienced Sofia Arvidsson. The Swede has proved she can tackle young opposition as she eliminated promising American Lauren Davis 6-3 7-6(6) in the quarter-finals.

Published on SEaT Capital.