Wimbledon: Heather Watson's hopes of first major quarter-final ended by Jule Niemeier
- Published
'One of the top five points of the tournament' as Niemeier beats Watson
Wimbledon 2022 on the BBC |
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Venue: All England Club Dates: 27 June-10 July |
Coverage: Live across BBC TV, radio and online with extensive coverage on BBC iPlayer, Red Button, Connected TVs and mobile app. |
Britain's Heather Watson said she missed "a big opportunity" as her hopes of reaching a first Grand Slam quarter-final at Wimbledon were ended by Jule Niemeier.
Watson lost 6-2 6-4 on Centre Court in a match preceded by a celebration to mark the show court's centenary year.
German world number 97 Niemeier, 22, will meet compatriot Tatjana Maria, ranked 103rd, for a semi-final place.
"I'm still quite deflated and disappointed," said Watson, 30.
"I believed in myself and thought I'd come through it."
Watson, who was played on every day of the tournament so far, was contesting her first major fourth-round match at her 42nd Slam.
The British number four broke serve at the start of the second set but was not able to maintain the advantage.
"I've always felt good enough. I've won four WTA titles. That's not easy. I know when I light it up, I can play really well and beat anyone on my day, just like anyone on tour," she added.
"I'll look back and be proud of myself I think for this week. But right now I'm a bit disappointed."
Meanwhile, Maria saved match points as she came back to beat 12th seed Jelena Ostapenko 5-7 7-5 7-5.
Watson's memorable run brought to an end
Heather Watson was bidding to reach her first major singles quarter-final in her 42nd Grand Slam
Watson's journey to a first major last-16 appearance had a bit of everything.
First, she celebrated an emotional opening victory over Tamara Korpatsch on her return to Court One - the stage she experienced a "disaster" when she went out in the first round last year having held match point.
Both her first two singles matches were played over two days because of late finishes, while the British number four said there was always going to be "a bit of drama" as she withstood Kaja Juvan's late resurgence to secure her breakthrough third-round win on Friday.
That victory saw her finally enter the singles fourth round at a Slam, seven years on from when she served for the same achievement against American great Serena Williams at SW19.
"I think in the women's game, often people are breaking through later. I think experience counts for a lot. Everybody's journey is different. This is mine," Watson said.
"I broke a barrier this week. So I am definitely hungry for more. I believe in my tennis and my game. I still really enjoy it. I think that's really important.
"I'll keep plugging away, as I always do. I've been around a long time now, and I hope to be around at least a bit longer."
Sunday's preceding centenary celebrations ensured there was already an excited atmosphere as Watson emerged for her first Centre Court match of her 12th Wimbledon appearance.
Watson, who dropped out of Top 100 in February, defeated Niemeier in a final-set tie-break in their only previous meeting at Monterrey earlier this season.
However, it was Niemeier, in only her second Grand Slam main-draw appearance, who took charge to temper the partisan home support.
The German, who broke into the top 100 for the first time in May, held to love for 2-2 as she claimed five straight games.
A forehand winner concluded the first set inside half an hour, but Watson responded at the start of the second.
She survived a break point to eventually hold with a winner and then a Niemeier miss gave her a first break of the match.
But the elation that greeted that moment was not allowed to last long as Watson followed a double fault with an unforced error to allow Niemeier to hit back immediately.
A comfortable Niemeier hold restored parity and, after two close games, the German was able to produce the decisive blow as two Watson double faults helped her to a 4-3 lead.
A couple of forehand winners ensured she consolidated the break after trailing 0-30 and although Watson forced her to serve out the match, the Briton's resistance ended when she missed a volley.
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