Spain’s Navarro knocks out UK number one

AFTER her straight sets win in the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells over the Polish world number eight, Agnieszka Radwanska, Britain’s number one Heather Watson had a bigger hill to climb when taking on Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro.

Even though making it through to the last 16, Watson’s impressive run at Indian Wells ended with a frustrating loss to Navarro. The 22-year-old Watson fought a gruelling two-hour battle, forcing a decider in the first set, but eventually went down 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 6-1.

She later told BBC Radio 5: “I need to learn what I need to do better next time, stay positive and keep improving. I had my chances but wasn’t able to take them.

“I gave it my absolute best, everything I had, I just wasn’t the better player.”

Despite the fourth-round defeat, Watson has still enjoyed one of the best weeks of her career and will collect £40,000 and 120 ranking points.