British No1 Heather Watson crashed out of the WTA Mercury Insurance Open in Carlsbad, California, yesterday, losing out to Taiwanese Yung-Jan Chan in the second round.
Watson has been enjoying a steady rise through the WTA ranks recently, currently placed as world No. 71. However, the 20-year-old wasn’t able to demonstrate a similar run of form to see off the world No 161 in Carlsbad, losing 6-3, 7-6.
Watson claimed her first WTA Tour title last weekend, with victory against top seeds Vania King and Jarmila Gajdosova in the Bank of the West Classic final alongside partner Marina Erakovic.
Yesterday’s result puts a slight dampener on some promising pre-Olympics performances, with Watson representing Great Britain at London 2012 in the doubles event with Laura Robson. However, this doesn’t take anything away from recent successes and the pair have been working hard to ensure they will make the nation proud come the Games.
“We both have a long way to go and a lot of work to do to get to the top,” says Watson. “It is a process and takes constant dedication and a lot of hard work.”
Elsewhere in the Open, Watson’s fellow Brit Anne Keothavong went out in the first round in Carlsbad, losing 6-4, 6-0 to New Zealander Erakovic.
Jessica Whittington, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
