BROADY TRIUMPHS OVER CORNET’S DARK ARTS

NAOMI BROADY beat the rain and complaints about failing light last night to pull off one of her finest wins, triumphing 7-6, 6-0 over Alize Cornet at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham. Britain’s No 2 handed a bagel to an opponent ranked 72 places above her, then admitted she had not wanted to take play into another day for fear of ‘bottling’ it. Cornet lost all composure in the second set, arguing shortly after 7pm that it was too dark to see, which brought a cutting response from the umpire that two hours of light remained. Broady said: ‘I’ve seen Alize have a meltdown a few times. I’m not sure how much she wanted to still be on the court, but I couldn’t hit it in. I was like, “Just hit it in, Naomi!”’ British No 3 Heather Watson lost 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 to Elina Svitolina, but said: ‘I’m very pleased with how I’m hitting the ball.’