Heather Watson battles past Viktorija Golubic at Birmingham’s Viking Classic

Heather Watson battled past friend and rival Viktorija Golubic 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 at Birmingham’s Viking Classic for just her fourth tour victory in 2021.
The 29-year-old set up a second-round clash against sixth seed Shuai Zhang in claiming an important win to ease her patchy recent form.
World number 71 Watson outranked her Swiss opponent by just one place, and was made to work hard for her win.
.@HeatherWatson92 bringing the heat is our @VikingCruises shot of the day 🔥#VikingClassic pic.twitter.com/iisO6WGfAY
— LTA (@the_LTA) June 14, 2021
Watson revealed she had to abandon plans to partner Golubic in doubles this week once the duo were paired in singles action.
“It was a really good match for me today,” said Watson, in her on-court interview.
“We’re the same age, I’ve known her for years and years, we’ve come up through our careers together.
“We were actually supposed to play doubles together last week as well. Then we texted each other and changed our plans.
“I was nervous at the end, but I’m really glad to come through it.
.@HeatherWatson92 bringing the heat is our @VikingCruises shot of the day 🔥#VikingClassic pic.twitter.com/iisO6WGfAY
— LTA (@the_LTA) June 14, 2021
“It’s just been really great to play in front of a crowd again. Thanks for the support, that’s what got me through in the end.”
Harriet Dart pushed Caroline Garcia to the distance but ultimately lost out to the French star.
Garcia prevailed 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 over the British number three, who had conceded nearly 70 world ranking berths against her French foe.
Dart fought back from 5-1 down in the decisive set, winning three games in a row, but could not quite turn the tide.
Francesca Jones was unable to make any real inroads against Donna Vekic, with the number three seed powering to a 6-1, 6-3 victory in little less than an hour.
Coco Vandeweghe ground past Carolina Pliskova 6-4, 7-6 (7-1), while Tereza Martincova beat Sam Stosur 6-3, 6-4.
Eighth seed Marie Bouzkova had a fight on her hands but was able to see off Hsieh Su-wei 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Tennis player cops big fine, docked ranking points after disgraceful incident
Mikael Ymer lost his prize money, fined and docked his ranking points.
-
French Open
Follow the 2023 French Open with T365’s scores and results centre…
Catch the action from Roland Garros…
-
French Open
‘Carlos Alcaraz the most complete 20-year-old, but his backhand gets a B+’
How many Grand Slams will Carlos Alcaraz win?
-
French Open
Tennis should use video replays, says Cameron Norrie after latest umpiring gaffe
British No 1 benefited from a double bounce during his win against Lucas Pouille.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic admits being fuelled by ‘drama’ as Kosovo comments fall-out continues
The Serbian stayed away from political statements after his second-round win over Martin Fucsovics in Paris.
-
French Open
French Open day four: Carlos Alcaraz and Taro Daniel produce tweener special, Nick Kyrgios a happy man
The story of the fourth day of action at the French Open.
-
French Open
Novak Djokovic reveals what is driving him towards French Open glory
Novak Djokovic admitted he is fuelled by drama as the fall-out continued from his controversial message about Kosovo after his latest win.
-
French Open
Carlos Alcaraz ‘really happy with my level’ after win over world No 97
World No 1 dropped set to world No 97.
-
French Open
Cameron Norrie ‘sorry to take another Frenchman out’ at French Open
The British number one took on the French Open crowd again in a 6-1 6-3 6-3 victory.
-
News
Home hope Caroline Garcia suffers shock exit at Roland Garros
Garcia saved eight match points but could not find a way through to the last 32.