Heather Watson was beaten in the round of sixteen by Viktorija Golubic to crash out of the women’s singles tournament but Dan Evans is through to round three of the men’s singles at the Rothesay Open which is being played at the Nottingham Tennis Centre in Beeston this week.
Wednesday’s round of matches saw Watson beaten by Swiss star Golubic 7-5, 6-2 whilst another Brit Jodie Burridge lost to fourth seed Zhang Shuai who herself was a beaten finalist to Johanna Konta last year.
Still going strong, just, is Harriet Dart who resumes her game today after play was suspended last night, she is currently tied at one set each with Camila Giorgi of Italy.
Further games involving Brits today include Katie Boulter who takes on Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic and Yuriko Miyazaki who faces Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia for a place in the quarter finals.
Another star to watch out for is top seed Maria Sakkari from Greece, she is number five in the world having recently slipped down from number three. Taking on Canada’s Rebecca Marino today, Sakkari who is an Olympiacos fan has pledged to support Nottingham Forest next season thanks to the famous Greek owner Evangalos Marinakis and his connection with both clubs.
Whilst the women’s tournament acts as a top rankings competition behind only the grand slam events, the men’s ATP challenger tour is a third tier competition that gives those outside the world’s elite chance to compete for prizes.
The best of those by ranking this year is world number 32 Dan Evans who is top seed and is now also in the third round having beaten Thomas Fabbiano of Italy in straight sets yesterday.
Both women and men’s singles continue today with the WTA women’s doubles event also taking place. UK’s Samantha Murray with her German partner Vivian Heisan is in the quarter finals and they play Ena Shibahara and Asia Muhammad for a place in the last four.
*Main image @TennisExplorer Heather Watson crashes out of the Nottingham Open.
