Britain Has No Singles Player In Paris’ Second Round

Written by: Resendiz on 30th May 2013

Britain Has No Singles Player In Paris’ Second Round

epa03691077 British tennis player Andy Murray serves the ball to German Florian Mayer during their second round match of the Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica pavilion in Madrid, central Spain, 07 May 2013. Murray won 6-4 and 7-6 (5). EPA/Emilio Naranjo |

Britain, in the absence of injury Andy Murray, has now officially suffered its worst French Open since 2007, with not a solitary player in the second round of either the men’s or women’s singles.

Heather Watson was the last to fall after her Fed Cup team-mates Laura Robson and Elena Baltacha also suffered first round exits. But the 21 year-old Channel Islander, only recently recovered from mononucleosis (glandular fever) was upset by her defeat but gratified by her performance and the fact she managed to last three sets.

She lost 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to Switzerland’s world number 56 Stefanie Voegele, in a match postponed fromTuesday because of rain and Watson had arrived in Paris without a match since April, when she was diagnosed with the debilitating illness.

She had spent six weeks at home in Guernsey resting, before returning to the practice court in the last few weeks to prepare for Roland Garros.

“I’m really disappointed,” said the world no.50 who is now expected to drop down the WTA rankings after making the second round in Paris last year. “I thought I had a good draw and a good chance to get through to the next round. I knew it was going to be tough, my first match back, but still I’m super disappointed I lost.

“But I felt good. Not as fit as I should be, but I felt good and got through it fine. I think being in a match situation and playing matches definitely helps, because naturally you want it, so you’re trying a lot harder, using your muscles a lot more, rather than in practice you’re more relaxed and playing freely.

“So I think after today this has helped me, and it’s a shame. I wanted more matches under my belt. But just work from here, get in the gym, do stuff to get fit for the grass.”

©Daily tennis News Wire

Topics: Andy Murray, British tennis news, French Open, Roland Garros, Tennis News