WOZNIACKI JUST A SEED TOO FAR FOR UNDERDOG WATSON

AWeek in which Wimbledon hopeful Heather Watson took the scalps of the world No9, 17 and 23 at eastbourne ended with her losing to Caroline Wozniacki in the semi-finals yesterday.

Watson was unable to become the first Brit to reach this tournament’s final since Virginia Wade in 1976, as she was beaten 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 in two hours and nine minutes.

World No6 Wozniacki proved a step too far for Watson but the 25-year-old will head over to southwest London full of confidence on grass.

‘It’s been a good week,’ she said. ‘I’m feeling ready for Wimbledon. I’m feeling great about my game after getting some great match wins under my belt this week.

‘I’m feeling confident going into next week.’

earlier in the week, Watson saw off eastbourne’s defending champion Dominika Cibulkova — overcoming a top-10 opponent for only the second time in her career. She then beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, ranked 17 in the world, and Barbora Strycova, 23, to get to this final.

eastbourne’s Centre Court missed out on seeing Johanna konta yesterday but was full for Watson, who at one stage led by a break in the third set against Wozniacki.

The British No3 will face Belgium’s Maryna Zanevska — the world No117 — in the first round of Wimbledon on Monday.

Asked about that, she added: ‘You can’t get away from it, can you? Usually I don’t look but with a Grand Slam you have people messaging you, social media notifications… so yeah, I’ve seen.

‘I’m feeling optimistic and feeling great within myself going into next week.’

After losing the first set 6-2, Watson was 5-2 up in the second when Wozniacki called for a medical time-out. The momentum was with Watson, though, who sealed the set 6-3.

She even went a break up in the third, although was broken back immediately by Wozniacki.

At the two-hour mark, it was 5-5 in the decider, though the Dane then showed her dominance.

She secured two match points. Watson saved the first but not the second as she netted a forehand.

Wozniacki will now play Czech karolina Pliskova in today’s final.