Heather Watson and Laura Robson have reached the final round of French Open qualifying on the clay courts at Roland Garros.
Both players are now one match away from a position in the French Open main draw.
Heather Watson (pictured) was the first Briton on court against Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur yesterday. After a close first set which the 20-year-old clinched in the tie-break, the 109 world ranked Briton took firm control in the second and sealed her place in the final round of qualifying with a 7-6(5) 6-3 win.
Robson had to wait until later in the day to play her match against Laura Thorpe of France, which turned into a tight encounter. However the fifteenth seeded 18-year-old kept her cool in the French heat and overcame Thorpe 7-5, 7-6(5).
Success in the final round of qualifying would see Robson reach her first French Open, whilst Watson reached the second round of last year’s tournament.
There she beat Stephanie Foretz Gacon from France in the first round of the main draw, before being defeated by Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi, then the world number 16.
Watson, who is the British number three and currently ranked 109, will be looking to at least match last year’s run to protect her ranking position and keep her Olympic dreams alive.
Today will see Watson on court first against Italy’s Anna Floris, with Robson fourth on court 6 against 11th seed Karolina Pliskova from the Czech Republic.
Jessica Whittington, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
Photo credit: James Jordan Photography
