British No.2 Heather Watson has won her first title for almost 14 months after recovering from a set down to defeat Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, at the Monterrey Open.
The unseeded duo enjoyed a strong run on their way to the final in Monterrey. Flipkens produced wins over sixth seed Alison Van Uytvanck, fourth seed Johanna Konta and then battled past Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit. In comparison, Watson’s run included a stunning win over former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki and French fifth seed Caroline Garcia.
Leading into the match Flipkens boasted a 2-0 head-to-head lead against Watson and the first set was evident as to why. Initially, both players looked impressive in their service games, holding them with ease. After five games went according to serve, the Belgian launched her first attack. Two of Flipkens biggest weapons is her slicing shots and net play. As Watson served at 2-3, Flipkens hit a smash at the net to move to to 40-0, rewarding her with three break point opportunities. The British No.2 valiantly battled back with the help of an ace and a forehand winner to claw her way back to deuce. Despite Watson’s comeback, her opponent grabbed her fourth opportunity after more impressive play at the net. It was fourth time lucky for Flipkens after a costly double fault gave her the break to lead 4-2. The frustration grew for Watson after she destroyed her racket after the Belgian extended her lead to 5-2. Flipkens ended Watson’s first set woes by firing an ace out wide to clinch the opening set.
The British No.2 got over her first set disappointment with a blistering start to the second set. A deep forehand return from the world No.84 gave Watson her first break point of the match. She successfully converted after completing a carefully constructed rally with a dropshot at the net to lead 2-0. The positive start was nearly squandered in the following game after a backhand error handed her opponent a double chance to break back immediately. Flipkens failed to take the advantage as Watson won four straight points to extend her lead. The momentum was on the Brits side throughout the remainder of the set as she intensified her aggressiveness on the court against a weakening Flipkens. The 30-year-old only won 44% of her first service points during the second set compared to 94% in the first.
As Watson forced Flipkens to serve to stay in the set, she hit a blistering backhand to grant her a set point. Failing to capitalize due to a strong serve from her opponent, Watson grabbed her second. A sensational forehand down the line gave her set point No.2 which she took with ease after an awkward approach at the net from Flipkens lead to her hitting the ball out of the court.
.@HeatherWatson92 takes the second set against @FlipperKF in the final of the @WTA @Abierto_MTY fin. https://t.co/EyBAo2Xvkf
— BT Sport (@btsport) 6 March 2016
Edging closer to her third WTA title, Watson fire a crosscourt backhand to move 40-0 up against Flipkens serve at the start of the deciding set. The tiring Belgian then gave the break away after a costly double fault. The match looked to be over for Flipkens, however, the unpredictable player staged an unprecedented comeback. Out of nowhere she generated the form which she lacked during the past set-and-a-half to break back before leveling the decider at 3-3. The late resurgence from Flipkens failed to materialize after a stroke of luck helped Watson break once more to give her the chance to serve for the match. Flipkens shot bounced high off the top of the net to set the Brit up with an easy forehand volley down the line to seal the break.
Serving for the match was a tough task for Watson, who was forced to save a duo of break points before leveling at deuce. A nine-shot rally ended with a forehand winner to hand Watson her first championship point. The 23-year-old took the title after a sharp serve forced Flipkens to return the ball out.
The title in Monterrey is Watson’s third after Osaka (2012) and Hobart (2015). The victory is projected to take the Brit up the rankings to 53rd in the world rankings.
“I’m extremely happy today. God it was tough today” The delighted 23-year-old said during her on-court interview.
“I was nervous coming into the match. I’ve never beaten Kirsten before, she’s a great player. she really makes you work for it”.
.@HeatherWatson92 has a Mother’s Day cuddle with mum Michelle after winning the Monterrey Open. https://t.co/Y9APpyR8P1
— BT Sport (@btsport) 6 March 2016
