Heather Watson is hoping her form holds after reaching the Tianjin Open final with Saturday’s straight-sets victory over Veronika Kudermetova. Watson, 27, has slipped to 125th in the world rankings following a couple of years in the doldrums, but she raced into Sunday’s showpiece with a 6-1 6-4 triumph over the 22-year-old Russian.
It kept up her superb run in the Far East event, with the Guernsey-born star dropping just one set all week at the Tuanbo International Tennis Centre. The former British number one needed just one hour and 14 minutes to get the job done.
Related: Shapovalov Set For Dream Federer Showdown
She will now face Rebecca Peterson in her first WTA Tour final since winning the Monterrey Open in March 2016. It was a clinical display and the Brit felt Friday’s three-set quarter-final battle with Poland’s Magda Linette helped her game.
“Yesterday was a really tough match and I think all those hours on court helped me play well today, so maybe it was a good thing,” she said. “It’s my first time here in Tianjin, so it’s a great first experience for me. I’m looking forward to playing the final and hopefully I can play as well as I managed today.”
Sweden’s Peterson, 24, looked in serious trouble in her last-four clash with Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, bouncing back from an opening ‘bagel’ to win 0-6 6-4 7-5 in two hours and eight minutes.
