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Watson: I_Ñéve worked so hard for this moment


 

Originally published on: 15/10/12 00:00

It’s been a case of ‘anything you can do, I can do better’ between Britain’s talented youngsters Heather Watson and Laura Robson of late. Three weeks ago it was the latter that came within one match of becoming the first Brit since Sara Gomer in 1988 to win a WTA title but it was Watson, the elder by two years, who finally ended the nation’s drought in Osaka.

The Guernsey-native saw off Polona Hercog (No.81), Anabel Medina Garrigues (No.40), Pauline Parmentier (No.67) and Misaki Doi (No.102) before defeating Kai-Chen Chang (No.96) of Chinese Taipei in a drama-filled final 7-5, 5-7, 7-6.

“She's an amazing returner, so I wanted to go for it,” said Watson after the match. "As you get better and play the top girls, you've got to go for it because they won't give it to you. So I went for it and I don't regret it.

“I was in the changing room afterwards, changing my clothes, and I thought to myself, 'Did I really win?' So it's just starting to settle in," added Watson, who now climbs to a career-high No.50 in the world. "I've worked so hard for this moment my whole career, that's why I practised so hard, ran all those miles and lifted all those weights, for moments like this.”

Watson admitted that Robson’s recent run of form motivated her heading into the HP Open, the final stop on the Asian swing. “Laura and I have come through the rankings together and we're both very competitive, so when we see the other doing well, it pushes us. Knowing Laura did so well in China a few weeks ago definitely motivated me this week. But I think it's great, we're really good friends off the court as well.

“Britain has been breaking quite a few records recently, so I'm happy I could break another one today. I'm proud to do this for my country.”

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.