Watson bounces back after being served a singles shock to claim victory for Great Britain in Fed Cup
|
Heather Watson was happy to seal victory for Great Britain against Portugal at the Fed Cup today after suffering the side's first defeat of the week in singles.
The British number one was beaten 6-1 6-4 by Michelle Larcher De Brito, who is ranked almost 100 places lower than her, which set up a deciding doubles rubber after Laura Robson had opened the tie in Israel with a 6-2 6-1 win over Margarida Moura.
Captain Judy Murray opted to stick with Watson and Robson for the doubles rather than call on Anne Keothavong or Johanna Konta and the pair were dominant throughout against Larcher De Brito and Joana Vale Costa, winning 6-2 6-1.
Swings and roundabouts: Heather Watson lost her singles match to Michelle Larcher De Brito, who is ranked nearly 100 places below her
Watson said: 'I didn't play well at all today, I just didn't feel the ball well. My opponent on the other hand played fantastic and, when you mix those two, that's what happens.
'I'm very happy that I could turn it around in the doubles. I think Laura and I are a great team and we combine really well together. We were very excited to get the win.'
Watson, 20, and 19-year-old Robson are unbeaten together in Fed Cup doubles and extended Britain's record in Pool B to two wins from two matches in Europe/Africa Zone Group I.
Rusty: Watson has not played singles since her elimination from the Australian Open three weeks ago
United: Watson joined by the rest of her the Great Britain team
Robson only played doubles against Bosnia yesterday - not losing a game alongside Konta - and was happy to blow the singles cobwebs away after a three-week break following the Australian Open.
The teenager said: 'I'm very happy with the win. I felt quite rusty since I hadn't played a match since Melbourne. It was nice to get the team off to a 1-0 lead before Heather's match.'
Britain are likely to face a much stiffer test tomorrow in their final round robin match against unbeaten Hungary.
Leading from the front: Judy Murray faces the press as captain of the Great Britain ladies team
Timea Babos is a top-100 player while Greta Arn is hugely experienced, although both Watson and Robson will be favourites on ranking.
The winner of tomorrow's decider will progress to a play-off on Sunday against the winners of Pool D, with the winners of that going forward to a World Group II promotion play-off in April.
Britain got to that stage last season in Murray's first year as captain but lost to Sweden and have high hopes of going one better this time.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2275711/Tennis-Heather-Watson-Laura-Robson-seal-victory-Great-Britain-Fed-Cup.html#ixzz2KLL1yiQm
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
