Murray launches his ‘defining’ year in Melbourne
THIS time 23 months ago, Heather Watson arrived in Australia off the back of a season wrecked by glandular fever and needing to qualify for a place in the opening Grand Slam of 2014.
Yesterday she flew into town as one of the early-year form horses of the WTA Tour, armed with her second career title of the main circuit and a ranking better than her previous all-time high.
The 22-year-old Guernsey right-hander will be confirmed tomorrow at No 38 — one above her career best — courtesy of a 6-3, 6-4 victory over American Madison Brengle in the Hobart International final.
That means a rise of more than 80 places in the past year as, in the prolonged absence of the injured Laura Robson, she remains in a league of her own as far as Britain’s women are concerned.
By adding to the Osaka event she claimed in late 2012, she becomes the first British female to win two events on the main circuit since Anne Hobbs in 1985.
Watson undoubtedly benefited from the prior week of top-class competition representing Great Britain with Andy Murray in the Hopman Cup mixed-team event.
‘It was a great week in Perth,’ she said. ‘Being there as Andy’s team-mate definitely gave me a boost of confidence.
‘All my work that I did in the off-season and last year has just come together. I feel like I’m using everything to play good, positive tennis and I’m coming out with good results.
‘For me, it’s very important to get the title win. A lot of players are very consistent and go deep into tournaments but never clear that final hurdle.
‘I like to have a title to my name — so I’m very pleased to get that.’
It was a more comfortable fit, winning this time around compared with Japan.
‘I was just overwhelmed when I won my first title and so happy to win it,’ she said. ‘This one felt more like I belonged, this was where I should be. I really believed and backed myself to win it.’
Watson needed much of her customary pluck to beat Brengle to the trophy.
The weather in Tasmania has been squally all week and she faced 12 break points in the first two games — and went behind before settling down to master the wind better than her opponent.
While Brengle, ranked 84, was not the most terrifying prospect in a WTA final, the Channel Islander had earlier in the tournament defeated a more celebrated American, Sloane Stephens.
It is a reminder that her chief virtues of baseline aggression, outstanding athleticism and a strong temperament can carry her considerably higher than her present mark.
Her opponent in the Australian Open first round is the 67th-ranked Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova, whose main career distinction has been her disproportionate expertise at Wimbledon, where she has three times made the second week, reaching the 2010 semi-finals.
‘I’ve played Pironkova three times,’ she said. ‘We always have competitive, long matches. It won’t be easy. I know she likes playing in Australia. I’ve already got my game-plan sorted out.’
In the long run, it would doubtless help Watson, who spent her teenage years in Florida after realising that Guernsey was too remote to seriously hone her tennis skills, if Robson can get back to resume their British rivalry.
Celebrating her 21st birthday next week, this event marks a year since Robson last played on the tour before succumbing to a wrist injury that ultimately required an operation.
While there is still said to be a little residual tenderness in the area, she is back training hard in Florida and hopes to return competitively at some smaller events next month, before possibly returning to top-level tournaments in the early spring.