Flushing Meadow date for Watson

Tuesday 22nd July 2008, 2:30PM BST.

HEATHER WATSON has qualified for the junior US Open. Before last week’s Austrian tournament, she had a world ranking of 150.

But after reaching the semis at the 14th Junior Open der Stadt Wels, the 16-year-old has broken into the top 100 under-18 players in the world and in doing so made the cut off for next month’s prestigious tournament at Flushing Meadow, New York.

‘The aim was to break into the top 100 by the age of 16,’ said Watson’s mother, Michelle. ‘Now the aim is for the top 50, so that she doesn’t have to play qualifiers for the Slams.’

As of yesterday, the 2007 British under-16 champion was ranked 84 in the world and third in Britain behind new whizz-kid Laura Robson and Jade Curtis. Watson’s ranking has been boosted by some recent terrific performances.