Select a region
Guernsey's Heather Watson says her confidence is growing as she bids today to win a place in the last 16 at Wimbledon for the first time in her career.
Watson is already through to the third round of the women's singles championship for the first time in five years.
Victory this afternoon against Kaja Juvan would take Watson further than she has ever gone previously in a Grand Slam.
"I do see it as an opportunity," said the 30 year old Guernsey star during a post-game press conference.
"I think when people look at the draw and see me at Wimbledon on grass, it’s not an easy draw for them and with each match my confidence grows."
Booking her place in the 3⃣rd round of @Wimbledon for a 4⃣th time
— LTA (@the_LTA) June 30, 2022
???? @HeatherWatson92 ????#BackTheBrits ???????? | #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/QOYCmaeQka
Pictured: Heather Watson clinched her place in the third round with a straight sets victory in a match played over two days.
Watson completed her second round victory yesterday against China's Wang Qiang in straight sets (7-5, 6-4) when the match resumed after fading light stopped play on Wednesday evening.
The British number four now faces Juvan, who defeated her in the US Open in August last year and who has already beaten the in-form 23rd seed Beatriz Haddad Maia in a previous round at Wimbledon.
Their match is scheduled to start on No.1 Court at 13:00 today.
Pictured: Heather Watson faces Kaja Juvan today.
Watson is undaunted by facing the 21-year-old Slovenian, who is ranked 62 in the world, 59 places ahead of Watson.
“I’m pretty relaxed about it right now," said Watson after her second round victory yesterday.
"I’ve been here before. I’m just taking it step by step, match by match.
"I feel as I’ve got older - I’ve been on the tour many years now - my highs aren’t as high, but my lows aren’t as low.
“I’m more level-headed. Before, when I was first on tour, making my first third round, I was on top of the world. But I think it’s better being how I am now.
"What means everything is my family have me through those ups and down. They are there for me no matter what."
Pictured: Heather Watson said she feels relaxed and confident as she bids for a place in the second week at Wimbledon for the first time in her career.
Watson said she did not get much sleep when she was unable to complete her second round match on Wednesday. She tried to relax overnight by watching Love Island.
"I actually did...to wind down," she said. "I slept awfully last night because during my match I had to take caffeine to keep up for it when we’re playing at 21:00.
"So I got probably just shy of four hours’ sleep. I woke up not feeling great this morning. It’s been a really tough few days for me with the scheduling. It’s not been on my side at all.
"I’ve just tried to do the best I could [and] in every situation try to stay positive and in the moment. I feel like I’ve handled it really well."
"I've had a really rough couple of years."
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 28, 2022
Heather Watson was holding back the tears as she sealed a "dream" #Wimbledon win ❤️#BBCTennis pic.twitter.com/zsTGlpVs5T
Watch: Heather Watson was holding back tears after her first round win at Wimbledon earlier in the week.
This is Watson’s fourth time in the third round at Wimbledon, where she has played some of the world's best players.
In 2012, she lost to the third seed and eventual runner-up, Agnieszka Radwanska.
In 2015, she enjoyed one of her most thrilling and heart-breaking matches against the world No.1, Serena Williams.
Pictured: A previous third round at Wimbledon produced one of Heather Watson's most memorable matches as she came within touching distance of defeating Serena Williams, arguably the greatest player in the history of women's tennis.
Watson was two points away from winning but lost in three sets. Williams later acknowledged that Watson "should have won the match".
In 2017, she was beaten in another three set thriller by former world No.1, Victoria Azarenka.
However, she has won a title at Wimbledon - the mixed doubles with Henri Kontinen in 2016.
England are level!
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 28, 2022
Substitute Alex Scott rose highest to meet the cross and power his header into the Italy net! ????
Game on in Slovakia, 1-1.
Watch live now on BBC iPlayer or the BBC Sport app ???? ???? ????#BBCFootballhttps://t.co/MlwFCybx5I pic.twitter.com/3UKuJJtQU2
WATCH: After following Heather Watson's progress this afternoon, local sports fans will be following Alex Scott this evening.
It is a big day for Guernsey sports fans.
After Watson's third round match at Wimbledon, Guernsey footballer Alex Scott will be part of the England squad taking on Israel tonight in the final of the under-19 European Championship in Slovakia.
Scott scored in England's semi-final victory over Italy, coming off the substitutes' bench to equalise with his first touch before Liverpool's Jarell Quansah scored a winner with less than 10 minutes to play.
The final kicks off at 19:00.
WATCH: Guernsey's Scott scores as England reach under-19 Euro final
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.