Heather Watson holds Andrea Hlavackova in the final qualifier - Toray Pan Pacific Open 2012
Former number one Briton, Heather Watson, dumped the 62nd ranked Czech, Andrea Hlavackova, in the final qualifying round to book a spot in the main round of the Toray Pan Pacific Open on Saturday. She lost the opening
set 5-7 but did well to bag the following two phases of the match 6-3, 6-2 to make sure that she continues to retain the pressure on her compatriot, Laura Robson, who is currently the number one British player in the women category.
Last two meetings yielded one victory apiece for both players. In 2010, the 26-year-old Czech smothered the 20-year-old Briton in straight sets to book a place in the semi-final at Sutton. The revenge mission was completed by the
75th ranked British player last year during the opening round of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championship.
So, the clash on Saturday gave Watson a head-to-head lead of 2-1 but a fighting spirit from the Czech earned her the place in the main round of the tournament as a Lucky Loser. So, both players will be seen in action during the
first round clashes starting Monday.
A double trade of breakpoints witnessed the scores marching on 2-2 before a serve hold at either end pushed the scoreboard to 3-3. Watson’s serve was broken by her opponent in the seventh game but a timely comeback from the Briton
equalized the scores at 5-5. It was a terrific match-up between the two athletes. Hlavackova broke serve again in the 11th game to regain the lead and held her serve to clinch the opening set triumph.
Watson broke serve twice at the start of the second set and didn’t falter once to make it 4-0. The Czech won two breakpoints back in the following three games but couldn’t hold her serve to level the scores and lost the set courtesy
a tight serve hold for the 20-year-old Briton.
The Briton won two breakpoints in the final set and wasn’t tested at all on her serve that could have hinted at a possible comeback from the Czech. A gruelling encounter of two hours and 42 minutes earned a spot in the main round
for both players.
Watson plays Sabine Lisicki whilst Hlavackova lock horns with Ana Ivanovic.
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