Watson up for double delight
THERE was some good news for British fans when Heather Watson and Henri Kontinen of Finland, holders of the mixed doubles, took a step towards another championship with a 7-6, 6-4 win over Ivan Dodig of Croatia and Sania Mirza of India to reach the quarter-finals.
Watson, especially, had been disappointed after playing so well in the singles, but bounced back with some big hitting to show what a dominant partner she has become to the Finn.
Winning the title last year gave Watson a huge boost and she has now fought her way back to become the British singles No2 behind Johanna Konta.
Watson and Kontinen received tremendous support from a Court No2 crowd and Watson said: “Last week was the first time we had met up together since winning the title.
“It brought back the memories of one of the best days of my life. It was such fun out there. I’m always getting lobbed because I’m so small, and Henri covers my back.
“Can we win again? We don’t talk about that, just get out there and take care of the business.
“I’m the chatterbox out there – when we are doing well, I’m at it all the time.”
Kontinen said: “I have already cleared space in my living room to put the trophy in pride of place.”
The pair will face tougher challenges as Jamie Murray, former doubles world No1, and new partner Martina Hingis have become the favourites – with the pair in action today against Britain’s Ken Skupski and Jocelyn Rae, who stunned Max Mirniyi and Ekaterina Makarova 5-7, 6-4, 9-7.
The Skupski brothers, Ken and Neal, yesterday lost in the men’s doubles.