Watson on the march

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27 June 2012

Heather Watson became the first British woman to reach the third round of Wimbledon in 10 years as she put in a highly impressive display to overcome American Jamie Hampton.

Playing full of confidence after her maiden win against Iveta Benesova, Watson was always expected to put a stiff challenge against Hampton, who is ranked just three places above her, and she posted a fine 6-1 6-4 win.

Watson said: "I'm just so pleased to get through that match. It wasn't easy. People will say that on paper it was a good draw but Jamie's a great player. She definitely made it hard for me in the end there, didn't give me anything.

She added: "I knew I had to come ready and playing my best. I don't think Jamie was at her best at the beginning so I tried to take advantage of that. The crowd are amazing, especially for the British players, and I'm glad I could win today not only for me but for them."

Watched by Fed Cup captain Judy Murray and a number of senior figures from the Lawn Tennis Association, the 20-year-old Guernsey player was superior to her opponent in every department and screamed with joy upon the culmination of her win, which sets up a last-32 clash with Elena Vesnina or third seed Agnieszka Radwanska.

Watson made an inspired start, holding to love before immediately breaking her opponent's serve after Hampton netted a simple forehand. Hampton was having a dreadful set, double-faulting and foot-faulting on several occasions on the way to handing Watson another break point.

The 20-year-old Guernsey player spurned three break points in the fourth game before clinching a fifth with a superb backhand return. Hampton needed a lucky net cord to hold her first service game, but Watson had already done the damage and served out to move a set ahead in just 27 minutes.

Watson began the second set in similar fashion as the first, engineering three break points and taking the final one to move 2-0 ahead. Her concentration wavered in the fourth game, allowing Hampton to break for the first time, but she broke back immediately, hammering down a fierce backhand that the American missed completely.

Hampton stunned Watson by breaking her again, but the Briton dug deep to hit back and move 4-3 up. Another break of serve seemed on the cards in the following game but Watson survived four break points to move within sight of victory.

Watson missed a match point in the ninth but showed little sign of nerves to serve out for a memorable victory that drew a standing ovation from the crowd.

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