Watson on verge of Top 50 return

Originally published on 07/08/14

World No.57 Watson, who beat Tereza Smitkova in the opening round after winning two qualifying matches for the Premier event, claimed a surprise 6-2 6-7(3) 7-6(5) victory over the Australian Open runner-up. Having beaten world No.12 Flavia Pennetta in Eastbourne in June, it was the equal-best win of her career – she is still waiting to claim her first win over a top 10 player.

She will have the chance to claim another scalp in the third round in the shape of two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka. The world No.11, who has slipped out of the top 10 for the first time since September 2010 after missing much of the season with a foot injury, has won just one of her five matches since March.

Venus Williams, who had never won a match in Canada in nearly two decades on tour before this year’s Rogers Cup, moved into the third round with a 6-3 6-2 win over Yulia Putintseva to set up a meeting with No.6 Angelique Kerber, a 6-4 6-1 winner over Caroline Garcia.

There were also wins for top seeds Serena Williams and Petra Kvitova, who beat Sam Stosur and Casey Dellacqua respectively, but Coco Vandeweghe got the better of Ana Ivanovic 6-7(7) 7-6(7) 6-4.

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