Tennis: Heather Watson seals last-four spot at Japan Open

Published on 13/10/2012 02:38

HEATHER Watson was left to fly the British flag after overcoming Pauline Parmentier of France to reach the semi-finals of the Japan Open in Osaka.

Britain’s two quarter-finalists had contrasting results as Watson prevailed in two sets while eighth seed Laura Robson was edged out 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4) by Kai-Chen Chang of Chinese Taipei.

Watson’s 7-5, 6-3 win against an opponent ranked two places below her at 73rd in the world, came after almost two hours. The match featured 12 breaks of serve in 21 games, with the Guernsey player grabbing her fourth late in the first set and adding three more in the second as she clinched a last-four meeting with Japan’s Misaki Doi.

Top seed Sam Stosur will play Chang after the Australian cruised into the semis with a 6-2, 6-4 win over American Jamie Hampton.