MEMORABLE RUN COMES TO AN END FOR WATSON
HEATHER Watson’s thrilling Wimbledon run was brought to a sudden end by “serve-bot” Jule Niemeier.
British number four Watson enjoyed a memorable charge to the fourth round, her best showing in any grand slam.
However, a quarter-final spot proved beyond the 30-year-old from Guernsey as German youngster Niemeier won 6-2 6-4.
It was a classic case of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ as the crowd was treated to a parade of former champions including Rod Laver, Billie Jean King, Bjorn Borg, Andy Murray and Roger Federer beforehand to celebrate Centre Court’s centenary.
Unfortunately, the atmosphere fell flat as they witnessed what has been a familiar sight over the last 100 years - that of a British player being knocked out.
Watson said: “I felt like the match was kind of flat because of the style of play. I felt like in a way I was playing like a serve-bot type thing.
“I was just trying to make as many returns as possible, holding on to my serve. It felt like more men’s tennis today than women’s.
“The points were just so quick. Like my last match, there was so many great epic points with slices, coming to the net.
“I didn’t feel like the rallies were long today at all, so maybe that had something to do with it.
“I still felt the support, especially at the end there when I needed it. Yeah, I felt super supported out there today.”
■ JANNIK Sinner progressed into the Wimbledon quarter-finals after proving too hot to handle for Carlos Alcaraz in a meeting between two of the biggest prospects in the sport.
A breathless start by the Italian saw him grab the initiative and only briefly let it slip against the 19-year-old, who eventually hit his straps but could never find the level which saw him make the last eight at the US Open and Roland Garros in the past year.
Sinner, 20, had never won at the All England Club before this summer but took his sixth match point to claim a 6-1 6-4 6-7 (8) 6-3 success in three hours and 35 minutes.
■ JAMIE Murray and Venus Williams are out of the Wimbledon mixed doubles after losing a marathon second-round encounter to Britain’s Jonny O’Mara and Alicia Barnett.
The fledgling partnership had five match points in an epic deciding tie-break but ended up losing it 18-16.
O’Mara and Barnett finally converted their fifth match point to seal a 3-6 6-4 7-6 (16) victory in two hours and 12 minutes.