Watson Wins Monterrey Thriller

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

MONTERREY, Mexico – Heather Watson roared back from a set down to dispatch Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, to win her third career title at the Abierto Monterrey Afirme in just under two hours.

“I don’t know where to start,” the Brit said in her post-match interview. “I’m extremely happy today. I was nervous coming into the match, and I’ve never beaten Kirsten before – she’s a great player who really makes you work for it.

From losing the opening set, Watson looked well in control as she leveled the match and earned a 3-0 lead in the decider, but Flipkens fought back to level and set the stage for a tense ending. 

“I thought Kirsten was pretty flawless in the first set, and I was getting frustrated with myself. I just had to stay calm and try my best. I never looked past the next point.”

Watson served out the title and was at a loss for words after capping off a banner week for the Brits; with Johanna Konta also reaching the quarterfinals in Monterrey and Naomi Broady matching the effort in Kuala Lumpur, it was the largest contingents of British women in a WTA quarterfinal in one week since 1978 (Eastbourne).

“Mexico, thank you; te amo! I’m a big fan of Mexico; when I was six years old, we used to come to Mexico for Christmas for six years. I’m just so glad to be able to win a title here. I need to learn some more Spanish.”

Earlier in the day, top seeds Anabel Medina Garrigues and Arantxa Parra Santonja won their second straight title and completed a Mexico sweep – having also earned the trophy at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel – with a tight win over Petra Martic and Maria Sanchez, 4-6, 7-5, 10-7.

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