US Open: Heather Watson loses but Naomi Broady wins all-British battle with Laura Robson
Tuesday 30 August 2016 23:40, UK
Naomi Broady fought back from a set down to win her all-British battle with Laura Robson in the first round of the US Open.
The 26-year-old from Stockport seized control in the second set and ended Robson's recent revival with a 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-4 victory.
Returning from persistent injuries, Robson had come through lengthy qualifying to reach the main draw, but could not pull off a ninth straight win at Flushing Meadows.
Broady will now face either world No 4 Agnieszka Radwanska or American Jessica Pegula after recording only her second ever win at a Grand Slam tournament.
"Good old northern grit, getting me through the match there," Broady told Eurosport. "I always say to myself: 'just go out there and do your best.' It's all I can ask of myself, just hang on in there, and it got me through today."
Earlier in the day, Heather Watson struggled with illness as she slumped to a first round defeat against Richel Hogenkamp.
The British No 2 has never been beyond the opening round in the competition and failed again after a 6-2 7-5 defeat to the world No 165.
Watson required lengthy medical assistance between sets and the 24-year-old confirmed she has been suffering from a fever in the days beforehand
"It was horrible to play. I was very ill today," Watson said after the defeat. "I've had a fever for the last three days but playing in this heat is almost impossible when you feel that bad.
"I was struggling to breath and then my back, I don't really know what it is, but I've been to see the doctor.
"I'm going to get some blood tests done and figure out what it was."
In the first set, Watson twice conceded her serve, but fought back from a break down to level the second set at 3-3.
This would prove a brief spell of success for Watson, who was decisively broken again, and Hogenkamp moved into the second round of a Grand Slam for just the second time.
