Guernsey’s Heather Watson during her match with Gracia Radovanovic of France in yesterday’s Junior Girls singles at Roland Garros. (Picture by Tommy Himdley/Professional Sport 0783051)
HEATHER WATSON’S miserable run on clay continued as she lost in the opening round of the Junior French Open yesterday.
The red surface is undoubtedly the least favourite of the 17-year-old Sarnian tennis star, who is currently ranked number 12 in the world.
She failed to progress further than the second round in the previous two tournaments, the International Junior Tennis ‘Citta’ Di Santo Croce and the Trofeo Bonfiglio, which were both held on ‘dirt’.
And her struggles continued at Roland Garros, Paris, as she lost her first match with Gracia Radovanovic.
The 18-year-old French right-hander was unseeded, but has a senior ranking of 595.
She defeated the number 13 seed Watson 7-5, 6-4.
‘I didn’t get used to the clay,’ said Watson.
‘I was making too many errors on my serve. I was hitting the ball too flat and making too many unforced errors.
‘Clay is probably the weakest of my surfaces and I didn’t do so well in the previous tournaments. The girl played well, but I’m really disappointed. I didn’t give it enough.’
However, the week is not over for Watson as she still has the doubles competition.
Partnered by Timeo Babos of Hungary, they are seeded number three in the competition.
They are due on court today to take on unseeded pair Mallory Burdette and Quirine Lemoine.
American Burdette defeated Watson in the singles competition at Trofeo Bonfiglio, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (4).
Watson has never faced Lemoine of Holland in an ITF graded tournament.
Watson and Babos have partnered each other before.
At the Trofeo Bonfiglio in Milan, after receiving a bye in the first round, Magda Linette and Anna Orlik knocked them in the second round.
However, Watson is confident that they will put this behind them and have a good run in the competition.
‘I’m really up for it,’ said Watson about their first match.
‘I’ve got a good partner and we get on really well. Hopefully we can do well.’
Article posted on 2nd June, 2009 - 2.30pm
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