Heather Watson had a few problems on court but got the result she wanted to start the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic Tuesday afternoon. The unranked Brit had a challenge on her hands against Claire Liu but reeled in a three-set in on Stadium court to win 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
This was a first time meeting for the two and a return for the Brit in six years. Watson makes her debut to San Jose where she gets started after a break from action since July. 3. This gave the 26-year-old time to get her game into play with the part of the hard court season in action.
Both stayed on serve with solid work from the first serve but clearly suffered when they faced one another’s offense. Watson and Liu couldn’t make much count on the return side keeping the start of the set level.
With the advantage of leading after her serve, Liu attacked Watson in the sixth after she double-faulted during the second point. It led the American to force deuce with the 26-year-old and go for the break using her sliced shots near the line to beat her down. It didn’t work for long as a drive with the AD point in Watson’s favor was called out and stood after a challenge.
It got her in the seventh losing a 30-0 stance on unforced errors that handed Watson the first break of the set and the lead. Liu broke back with Watson struggling with the second serve but she still carried focus that was rattling the young American. She earned a double break with the chance to serve for the set. She made it count in the tenth earning two set points that gave her the match lead in 46 minutes. Watson nailed 70 percent of points from the first serve that did enough to get her where she wanted to be. Liu had some elements that were good but could be shown going forward.
Liu was having an incredible turnaround in the second set shutting down Watson on returns. She missed three from it that led to the 18-year-old to a 2-0 run. She made it three straight with another good hold of serve. Watson made it her best interest to call out the coach who gave her tips to overcome the deficit.
A hold in the fourth denied her opponent a double break in hand showing a heavier fight against the American’s serve. She got a second game under her belt giving the look of her taking back control. Watson found herself in a tight spot in the sixth with Liu forcing deuce. It became drawn out spanning more than six breaks before the 18-year-old found a way to score the key shot that gave her back a two-game buffer.
Watson didn’t let that bother her as she responded with a break in the seventh cutting Liu’s lead in half. The goal of leveling the score went south as she committed unforced errors that allowed the American her chance to serve for a third set. She did just that making good on her improving qualities to force a decider after 46 minutes. While her second serve wasn’t at a place she wished it to be, the 18-year-old had her first serve in play and building her confidence.
Watson put that to a stop as she came out on a mission to disallow Liu any further momentum. She went after Liu’s second serve right from the start earning a 3-0 lead. The 26-year-old went for the double break earning free points on her opponents’ forehand errors. She battled back to force deuce before earning the win in the fourth. It was the start to yet another comeback in the match with Liu making up all the lost ground to even up after six. Watson made enough mistakes to let the American back into the decider with very little left to be played.
The battle was on as control became a key to finish the match on their own terms in the seventh. Making the first show of effort was the Brit who dug in on deuce to make her service game count. Despite playing a few breaks, she got it locked down before taking a coaching call.
She tried going for the break but failed to counter Liu’s fight to keep with Watson for as long as she could. The American had to hold serve against the 26-year-old who served for the match in the tenth. She did get it done as Watson made the push to finish her off and secure a spot in the second round after 2 hours and 24 minutes.
With a well-deserved win, she'll take time to recover and analyze her game before she faces Venus Williams in Thursday's second rounder.
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