BulldogB Watson storms into Hobart final

THE T British Bulldog in the UK’s No. N 2 women’s player Heather Watson W bared its teeth at the Hobart International yesterday when she sent Croatian Donna Vekic packing in straight sets.

The 6- 0 6- 4 quarter- final victory set up a blockbuster semi- final against defending champion Elise Mertens.

The 22- year- old Belgian advanced on the back of a prematch withdrawal of her Romanian opponent Monica Niculescu, putting her in doubt for the Australian Open next week.

It set up a super- semi between last year’s champion and the 2015 champion.

The last time they met was in Luxembourg on hard court, where Mertens won 6- 4 6- 4.

“We are both pretty solid and try to play aggressive,” Watson said.

“We make a lot of balls so there will be longer rallies.

“She obviously loves it here and has been playing really well. Last year she shot up the rankings so it will be a really tough match.”

Watson, 25, won the first 11 games of her quarter- final in a powerhouse run to take the first set 6- 0 and create a 5- 0 lead in the second.

That’s when Watson’s wobbly wheels struck.

Vekic won the next four games and was serving at 4- 5 to equalise the second set. Despite the brave comeback, Vekic lost her touch.