Heather Watson beaten by Angelique Kerber at Monterrey Open
Sunday 9 April 2017 11:41, UK
Defending champion Heather Watson has been knocked out of the Monterrey Open, losing in straight sets to top seed Angelique Kerber.
The world No 1 won 6-4 6-4, breaking serve once in each set to clinch victory in 85 minutes and book her spot in the semi-finals of the hard court event.
However, world No 125 Watson gave a good account of herself and had chances to break in each set.
After losing her own serve in the seventh game of the opener, the 24-year-old came close to breaking back immediately when she led 40-15 on the German's serve.
But the two-time Grand Slam champion survived, saving four break points during the eighth game, and had to stave off another in the 10th which she won to clinch the first set.
Watson, who was broken in the first game of the second set, had three more opportunities including two in what turned out to be the final game of the contest.
Once again, the 29-year-old held her nerve to clinch victory on her second match point.
On Saturday, Kerber will take on the No 4 seeded Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro, who beat Alize Cornet of France 6-1 6-1.
Kerber, runner-up in Monterrey four years ago, said: "I think it was a good match, especially at the end.
"We both struggled a little bit but I'm happy to be in the semis right now.
"I tried to play my game aggressive, and it's always tough to play against Heather, especially because she was the defending champion here. But I'm happy I'm through it."
The other semi-final will feature Caroline Garcia of France and Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova - the No 3 and 2 seeds respectively.
