Watson survives rain delay and tricky Niculescu

More than 26 hours after her round two match started, Heather Watson is into the quarterfinals at Hobart International 2016
14 January 2016, by Hobart International Tennis

Defending champion Heather Watson has saved three match points in an epic second round battle to keep her title defence alive.

Watson knocked out fourth seed Monica Niculescu 6-7(3) 6-2 7-6(3) in a match that finished more than 26 hours after it started.

The match resumed today with Watson leading 3-1 in the third set, after rain forced it to be abandoned last night.

The Brit had three match points at 5-4, but couldn’t convert. Niculescu then had chances of her own to win, holding three match points on the Watson serve at 6-5. It eventually went to a tiebreak, which Watson claimed after a total of three hours and 13 minutes on court.

Next up is Swede Johanna Larsson. They play later in this evening’s night session.

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