Heather Watson played in her 43rd major and reached the fourth round of a major for the first time in singles; The 30-year-old will face Jule Niemeier next in the singles draw and will return to the court later at the All England Club to play doubles with Harriet Dart
By Emma Thurston
Last update: 01/07/22 22:02
Heather Watson is making her 12th appearance at the Wimbledon Championships
Britain’s Heather Watson is through to the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time in her career after a 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 win over Kaia Yuvan.
The Briton worked hard to take the first set and then beat her opponent out of court for much of the second set.
The first time Watson tried to serve in the match, she was broken before settling her nerves and coming through a long, five-deuce final game to claim her first match point.
“First of all, it wouldn’t be me if there wasn’t a bit of drama at the end,” the 30-year-old said on the court. “Wow, what an atmosphere, there’s no place I’d rather play. You caught me over the line.
“I’m so happy. Thanks to my team for pushing me and being with me through thick and thin. I play here at home, the atmosphere is everything. Please everyone come back for my fourth round!”
Watson will face Jules Niemeyer next in the singles draw, but before that she will return to the court on Friday to play doubles with Harriet Dart.
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This third-round victory marked a milestone in the 30-year-old’s career, as he had never reached this point at a major tournament before in singles.
Watson made her singles debut at the championships in 2010 and five years later she served for her third-round match against Serena Williams.
Then she failed to get over the line and this time on Court #1, Watson also found serve for the challenge match.
Match statistics
Heather Watson Kaja Juvan 2 Aces 1 2 Double Faults 5 58% First Serve % 50% 74% First Serve % Win 55% 47% Second Serve % Win 52% 17/27 Net Points Won 11/23 4/6 Break points scored 2/8 31 Winners 27 19 Unforced errors 21 76 Total points scored 62
A close first set was decided by a tiebreak in which Watson needed four set points to take. The Briton then raised her level again as world No. 62 Yuvan faded away.
Watson didn’t need a second invitation to punish her and before the last few games she had all the answers. However, at 5-0 down, Yuvan again started swinging the ball freely and denied Watson an easy route over the line.
On the big points, Watson found her spots with her first serve and continued to combine superb backhand power with deft lobs and volleys.
An extended final game saw Watson’s side through, but the 30-year-old eventually produced a match point and took it with both hands.
“I wouldn’t have played any more if I thought that ship had sailed,” Watson added afterwards. “I’m really happy to finally be in the second week of a Grand Slam singles tournament.”
Jaber was a quarter-finalist at the Championship last year
Elsewhere in the draw, Ons Jabeur sent a message of intent with a 6-2 6-3 win over Diane Parry that lasted just 68 minutes on Center Court.
The third seed highlighted the variety she has in her game and will face Elise Mertens in the fourth round. Mertens prevailed over former champion Angelique Kerber 6-4 7-5.
A match off court 2 brought the shock of the day as Tatjana Maria beat fifth seed Maria Sakkari 6-3 7-5.
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At 34, Maria is the oldest German player in the Open Era to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament.
Maria will face 12th seed Jelena Ostapenko, who was the first woman to reach the fourth round after her 3-6 6-1 6-1 defeat of Irina Begu.
Williams is back with wins along with Murray
Venus Williams and Jamie Murray
Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams made her Grand Slam return on Friday night with a win alongside Jamie Murray in the mixed doubles.
The 42-year-old bowed out in the second round of singles at Wimbledon last year and has played just one more match since, prompting talk of retirement.
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But a surprise wildcard announcement earlier in the week brought the American back to the London grass and partnered Murray, three years since their siblings Serena Williams and Andy Murray paired up at SW19.
And a 6-3 6-7 (3) 6-3 win over Michael Venus and Alicia Rosolska ensured the pair continued to fly the family flag at Wimbledon after Andy and Serena crashed out early in the singles.
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