Heather Watson and Aljaz Bedene into Wimbledon third round
Wednesday 5 July 2017 19:22, UK
Britain’s Heather Watson and Aljaz Bedene booked their spots in the third round of Wimbledon on Wednesday.
Unseeded Watson became the first player to advance from the second round with a 6-0 6-4 win over No 18 seed Anastasija Sevastova, then Bedene beat Damir Dzumhur 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-3.
Watson has equalled her best ever run at Wimbledon, but has yet to get past the third round, while Bedene has progressed further than ever before.
"Right now I'm very happy with my game, very happy with how I'm playing," said Watson. "I just feel like I'm in a good place and I'm confident, just really enjoying being out there on the court at the moment."
She will next play former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka who beat 15th seed Elena Vesnina 6-3 6-3. Azarenka, a two-time Australian Open champion, is aiming to become the first mother to win Wimbledon in 37 years since Evonne Goolagong in 1980.
"I think Vika is an incredible player and person," Watson said. "I really respect how hard she works and how focused she is.
I'll keep everything the same, my routine, what I'm going to eat, sleep. I'm going to watch Love Island
"I look forward to playing her. I know she has only just come back, but I expect her to be playing really well because I know she will have put in the hours and the work. You don't get to where she's got to in her career without being a really good player.
"I will come in with a different game plan because everybody's a different player. But to do with myself, I'll keep everything the same, my routine, what I'm going to eat, sleep. I'm going to watch Love Island."
Azarenka insists Watson, who reached the semi-finals of the Aegon International at Eastbourne last week will be the "crowd favourite" when they meet for a place in the last 16 on Friday.
"I think she's a great player," said the 27-year-old Belarusian. "She definitely is going to be a crowd favourite. I think she played really well last week in Eastbourne. It looks like she feels really comfortable coming into this match.
"I'm just going to go out there and play my match. I obviously have a lot of respect for every opponent that I play and not take anything for granted."
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