Heather marches on – Alice slips up

Thursday 16th October 2008, 2:30PM BST.

Into the last eight: Heather Watson lines up a forehand stroke in Pune. (Picture by Paul Guillou, 0656455)

HEATHER WATSON marched into the quarter-finals of the girls’ tennis tournament in Pune by beating Aritha Muttiah 6-1, 6-3 in an absorbing match lasting 79 minutes.

The Sri Lankan player was a ‘tenacious counter puncher’, according to tennis team manager and the Guernsey hope’s mother, Michelle Watson.

‘We didn’t know Aritha that well, but she has beaten two good girls and we know that she could cause problems. Heather had to play clever as she had to construct her game to match the other girl’s strengths. Her patience was excellent.’

The quarter-finals see a real test as she plays Jade Hopper, the third seed from Australia. Watson senior is hopeful.

‘She [Hopper] is looking good, but she’s not unbeatable.’