Eastbourne: Heather Watson shocks Dominika Cibulkova in second round
| Eastbourne 2017 |
|---|
| Venue: Devonshire Park, Eastbourne Date: 26 June-1 July Coverage: Live across BBC TV, radio and online |
British number three Heather Watson shocked defending champion Dominika Cibulkova in the second round at Eastbourne.
Watson, ranked 126th in the world, beat fourth seed Cibulkova 7-5 6-4 in an enthralling contest.
In the men’s draw, British number two Kyle Edmund was beaten by 6-4 3-6 6-3 American world number 47 Donald Young.
Compatriot Naomi Broady was beaten 6-2 6-7 (7-9) 6-1 by Czech Kristyna Pliskova, ranked 44th in the world.
Cibulkova battled until the end, saving three match points and breaking Watson’s serve late in the final set.
Watson claimed the second best win of her career in terms of ranking as she stunned world number nine Cibulkova in one hour and 42 minutes.
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She sent down eight aces and 69% of total points on her first serve to set up a meeting with either Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or Belgian Elise Mertens.
“The atmosphere was incredible, I was getting goosebumps at the end. I got a little nervous but I’m pleased I got through it in that last game,” Watson told Eurosport.
“She’s a hard worker and a fighter so I knew it was never going to be easy. She’s very aggressive but I’m OK with that. I have some wheels so I’ve got to use them.”
Edmund struggles on grass
Edmund began strongly on Centre Court, with the Briton’s forehand firing in particular, but it was Young who broke first to go 5-4 up and then went on to serve out the set.
The Briton hit back in the second, securing the first break at 1-3 and winning four consecutive points in the final game to force a deciding set.
However, Young proved too strong as Edmund lost his rhythm in the closing stages of the match.
Edmund, who was stunned in the first round at Queen’s by teenager Denis Shapovalov, has lost 13 of his past 16 matches on the grass courts.