Elise Mertens enters Hobart International tennis final with Heather Watson win | Tennis News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Elise Mertens enters Hobart International tennis final with Heather Watson win

Reuters, Hobart | ByReuters
Jan 12, 2018 03:46 PM IST

Elise Mertens recovered from a second-set lapse to edge out Heather Watson, who won the Hobart International tennis tournament in 2015, in one hour and 42 minutes.

Defending champion Elise Mertens of Belgium reached the Hobart International tennis final with a 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 win over British qualifier Heather Watson on Friday.

Defending champion Elise Mertens defeated Heather Watson 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 to reach the final of the Hobart International tennis tournament.(Twitter)
Defending champion Elise Mertens defeated Heather Watson 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 to reach the final of the Hobart International tennis tournament.(Twitter)

The second-seeded Mertens recovered from a second-set lapse to edge out Watson, who won the tournament in 2015, in one hour and 42 minutes.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

(Read | Australian Open: Billie Jean King wants Margaret Court Arena renamed)

The 22-year-old world number 36 will play Mihaela Buzarnescu in Saturday’s final after the Romanian sailed past fifth-seeded Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko 6-2 6-2 in the second semi-final.

(Read | Ashleigh Barty downs Daria Gavrilova to enter Sydney International tennis final)

“She made the same run (from qualifying) as I did last year, but I’m happy to win today,” Mertens said in an on-court interview.

(Read | Australian Open tennis: Rafael Nadal preparation may cost repeat of Roger Federer epic)

“I gave it all, and I’m still playing doubles later.

“I tried to play a bit more aggressive in the third set and make her run a little bit more. She was dictating me in the second set, all credits to her. She played an amazing match.”

After a tight opener which was decided by a single break of serve, Watson, ranked 74th in the world, fought back to square the match but her hopes of winning a fourth WTA title were dashed due to unforced errors.

“(It is) just frustrating. Thought I made too many unforced errors,” Watson said. “Because I’d been playing so well, I expected more of myself.”

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On