Watson takes Sharapova to the brink
BRITAIN’S Heather Watson narrowly failed to secure the biggest win of her fledgling career after third seed Maria Sharapova came from a set down to secure her place in the second round of the US Open.
The Russian was pushed all the way by the 17-year-old in a match that lasted over two-and-a-half hours but eventually won through 3-6, 7-6, 6-3.
There was better news for Watson’s teenage compatriot Laura Robson, who won the first grand slam match of her career outside of Wimbledon after her Chinese opponent Ayumi Morita retired with a shoulder injury.
Robson claimed the first set on a tie break and won the first game of the second before Morita called for the trainer and was unable to continue.
Meanwhile, British No1 Andy Murray will begin his US Open campaign against India’s Somdev Devvarman today. Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic has declared himself fit after recovering from a shoulder injury which forced him to retire during the final against Murray in the Cincinnati Masters last week.