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Watson outclassed

30 June 2012

watsonHeather Watson's learning curve took a dramatic upward curve as Agnieska Radwanska, the third, seed, brought the Briton's successful two-round run at The Championships to a brutal end.

There was no doubt that the Gurensey player had made many more fans with her performances over the opening rounds, but the gap which she needs to clear to provide higher ranked players a match, was very evident.

She lost 6-0 6-2, the first set lasting just 24-minutes as she struggled to read Radwanska's game and floundered somewhat against the wide variety of shot which the calm and unflustered Pole could execute.

Watson was clearly frustrated as she failed to make an impression, collecting her first game 19-minutes into the second set with a 107mph ace to trail 1-3.

Despite breaking her duck and avoiding a double bagel, the curtain came down on her 2012 singles Wimbledon campaign 15-minutes later.

radwanskaWatson will be the first to agree her performance was disappointing and she was unable to hold back her emotions once she had returned to the locker room.

"I held it until I got off the court, and then I just let it all out," Watson said. "She is third in the world for a reason. She didn't miss anything today. I didn't get the best start apart from the first game, and before I knew it the first set was already gone.

"I couldn't really tell where she was serving, and she was hitting the lines on almost every serve."

Despite the comprehensive Centre Court defeat, Watson was proud of her achievements this week.

She had not won a match in the main draw at Wimbledon before this year and her dismantling of Benesova, a player ranked 48 places above her, was highly impressive, as was her clinical win over America's Hampton.

That victory had made her the first British woman to reach the third round in 10 years, and today's defeat to a two-time quarter-finalist was always the likely outcome for the world number 103.

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"This has been a great learning experience for me. I will come back stronger," Watson said. "It's been my best Wimbledon so far. I want to keep coming back here.

"That first match on Centre Court (against Benesova) was huge for me. That will be my best memory.

"I really felt the crowd this year more than in previous years because I've come through. I just love the feeling. I want it more. I can't wait until next year."

Watson can console herself with the expectation she will break back into the world top 100 after this week's exploits, and she will be back at the All England Club next month for the Olympics, where she will play doubles with Laura Robson.

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