Heather Watson hits a powerful backhand yesterday as she makes her debut in the open draw at Wimbledon. (Picture by PA, 0988197)

HEATHER WATSON saw her Wimbledon dream end yesterday, but only after one heck of a fight.

The first-ever Sarnian to appear in the main draw at SW19 took Italian Romina Oprandi, ranked over a hundred places higher than Watson, to a deciding set before eventually falling 4-6, 6-1, 3-6.

But that does not tell the whole story of a match which Watson shaded in large spells, with her early nerves and late fatigue ultimately costing her in her debut at the highest level, despite being a break up in the final set.

Despite the obvious disappointment of losing, Watson took it in her stride, acknowledging the aspects on which she needs to work.

‘I was up a break in the third set, but wasn’t able to serve my best today. I think I need to get fitter for those third sets,’ she said.

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