Heather Watson breaks back into the world's top 150 with a win over Na-Lae Han to reach the quarter-finals of the Thailand Open.
Thursday 2 February 2023 13:40, UK
Heather Watson is through to her first quarter-final in 18 months after a marathon three-set win over Na-Lae Han at the Thailand Open.
The British number six will climb back into the world's top 150 following a 6-3 5-7 6-4 victory lasting two hours and 33 minutes.
Watson led by a set and a double break before her South Korean opponent found her range and hit back to force a decider.
A break ahead in the final set, Watson hurled her racket in frustration after being pinned back to 4-4.
But she regained her composure to break once more and then finished the job with a superb drop shot on her second match point.
"It was a really, really tough match," said Watson. "It was actually a bit shorter than my first match, but it felt a lot longer because the conditions were really tough, it was very humid. It was just a real physical battle out there.
"I think tennis went out the window and it was just survival of the fittest. And I'm just really pleased I could get over the line and serve out when it mattered."
Watson will face Chinese seventh seed Xinyu Wang, the world number 81, in the last eight.
"I haven't played her before, but I've practised with her. She's a lovely girl, we get on really well," added Watson.
"She hits a big ball so I'll have to be feeling physically good tomorrow because I have to be quick off the mark."
The 30-year-old had recorded her first win over a top 50 opponent since March 2022 in the previous round as she beat world No 44 Putintseva 5-7 6-4 7-6 (5) over three hours.
Watson entered the tournament on the back of losing to Aliona Bolsova in the first round of Australian Open qualifying.
