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Heather Watson through to semi-finals after Petra Kvitova withdraws Heather Watson through to semi-finals after Petra Kvitova withdraws
(about 5 hours later)
Heather Watson was given a free passage through to the semi-finals of the Aegon International in Eastbourne when Petra Kvitova withdrew through injury. Heather Watson will significantly climb the world rankings after Petra Kvitova withdrew from the pair’s quarter-final match at the Aegon International in Eastbourne through injury.
Watson secured the best win of her career in the second round on Wednesday when she came from a set down to defeat the world No12 Flavia Pennetta. That set up a clash with the 2011 Wimbledon champion Kvitova, but the Czech decided not to take to the court because of a hamstring strain. Kvitova, the former Wimbledon champion, pulled out due to a hamstring problem on Thursday and now faces a race to be fully fit for the third grand slam of the year – Wimbledon – which begins on Monday.
Kvitova’s withdrawal means Watson is guaranteed 185 ranking points, which should see her climb significantly from her current mark of 70, and she will fancy her chances of beating either Madison Keys or Lauren Davis in the last four. Watson will play the American Madison Keys in the semi-finals at Eastbourne on Friday but Kvitova’s withdrawal means the British No1 is already guaranteed 185 ranking points, which will see her move up from her current standing of 70th. The winner of Watson and Keys match will be entitled to 305 ranking points and will play either Angelique Kerber or Caroline Wozniacki in the final.
The British player, a wildcard at Eastbourne, will go to Wimbledon in good form having secured one of the best victories of her career against Flavia Pennetta on Wednesday, coming from a set down to beat the world No12 in the second round.
Kvitova, the world No6 and 2011 Wimbledon champion, is hopeful her hamstring injury will not hamper her performance at the All England Club. “I started to feel it yesterday morning,” she said. “I played quite a solid match yesterday but today was much worse. I hope that I’m going be ready for Wimbledon. I hope that some days off will help.
“I don’t think it’s any strain or something very serious. It’s really painful, so I really couldn’t move, but I hope it’s going to be good. Wimbledon is starting on Monday and I need to be ready.”
It is Watson’s first WTA singles semi-final since 2012 and more evidence that her game is progressing well following a frustrating 2013, when glandular fever stilted her development. She has since adopted a more aggressive approach on the court.
Wozniacki came from a set down to beat Italy’s Camila Giorgi while Kerber won comfortably earlier in the day against Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova 6-2, 6-1. “It was not as easy as the score said because there were tough rallies,” Kerber said.
“She’s a great player on grass so I was just focusing on me, trying to be aggressive and take my chances. I did a good job.”
The Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli’s first match back on British grass since winning the tournament last year ended in retirement and defeat to a 15-year-old schoolgirl from Surrey.
The Frenchwoman, who retired shortly after winning in SW19, played in an exhibition match in Liverpool but lost to Jodie Burrage, 208th in the junior world rankings. Trailing 7-5 3-2, Bartoli pulled out with a right shoulder problem.