Heather Watson cruised into the third round of Wimbledon with a 6-1 6-4 victory over American Jamie Lee Hampton.
British number four crushes American with confident display
Heather Watson cruised into the third round of Wimbledon with a 6-1 6-4 victory over American Jamie Lee Hampton.
The British number four showed few signs of nerves on Court Two as she raced into a 5-0 lead as Hampton struggled with her delivery, double-faulting four times in her first two games.
The American - ranked three places higher than her opponent at 100 - finally stopped the rot but Watson served out for the set in 27 minutes, and then broke immediately to take the initiative in the next.
But Hampton, who shocked 27th seed Daniela Hantuchova in the first round, at last found her rhythm and came into the match, breaking back to level before another break of serve each made it 3-3.
Remained unruffled
However, Watson remained unruffled and broke again, this time decisively, to lead 4-3 and although Hampton looked set to level again the 20-year-old from Guernsey saved four break points to hold.
Watson missed a match point in the ninth game but served out for a memorable victory that drew a standing ovation from the crowd, as she became the first British woman through to the third round at SW19 in 10 years.
"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 said.
"She definitely made it hard for me in the end there, didn't give me anything.
"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."
Watson added: "The crowd are amazing, especially for the British players, and I'm glad I could win today not only for me but for them."
Third seed Agnieszka Radwanska is next up after the Pole defeated Russian Elena Vesnina, the conqueror of Venus Williams in the first round, 6-2 6-1
