Watson defies doctor

Thursday 24th June 2010, 2:30PM BST.

Heather Watson launches herself into a big forehand during her senior Wimbledon debut on Tuesday. (Picture by PA, 0988223)

‘IT WAS there to win if she had taken her opportunities.’

That was the assessment of Ian Watson the morning after his brave daughter Heather fell at the first hurdle on her senior Wimbledon debut.

The 18-year-old lost 4-6, 6-1, 3-6 after being a break up in the decider, although Ian has confirmed that Heather was carrying an injury into the match on Tuesday.

She has torn an abdominal muscle, but despite the advice of the doctor to get complete rest, she still played in the ladies’ doubles yesterday evening when she and fellow young Brit Jocelyn Rae beat the Australian pairing of Casey Dellacqua and Alicia Molik 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.

Their reward is a clash with the number seven seeds, American Lisa Raymond and Australian Rennae Stubbs.