Good Evans, but it’s all over for Watson

British No.2 Dan Evans had a walkover into round three of the Australian Open on Thursday when opponent Arthur Rinderknech withdrew with a wrist injury.

But Heather Watson didn’t fare so well, losing 7-6(4) 6-4 No. 29 seed Tamara Zidansek.

Watson hit 35 unforced errors in the match as the opening set swung both ways. At 6-5 Watson missed a break opportunity and Zidansek went on to win the tiebreak by three points.

Both players broke each other early in the second set before Zidansek got there better of Watson’s first serve to take the advantage.

Dan Evans received a walkover after opponent Arthur Rinderknech withdrew with an injury. Photo: Karl Winter

The Slovenian got a break when Watson double faulted, and although the Brit broke back in the following game, Zidansek eventually prevailed after Watson’s wide backhand handed the match to her opponent.

Evans will now face either ninth seed Felix Auger Aliassime or Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina next.

Elsewhere, World No.2 Aryana Sabalenka survived a scare to beat China’s Xinyu Wang 1-6 6-4 6-2.

Peter Rowe

Recent Posts

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

4 weeks ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

4 weeks ago

Djokovic rolls Cobolli as Shanghai fights to restore order

Novak Djokovic returned to action after waiting tow days to play as the rain-hit Shanghai…

4 weeks ago

Innocent umpiring error screws Stan in Shanghai

Stan Wawrinka may have been inadvertently short-changed during Monday's third-round loss at the Shanghai Masters…

4 weeks ago

Sinner sweeps Fritz to win US Open

Jannik Sinner schooled Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 to win his second Grand Slam title…

2 months ago

Sabalenka wins Open title for Grand Slam hat-trick

Aryana Sabalenka completed a Grand Slam title hat-trick on Saturday as she fought from 5-3…

2 months ago