Wimbledon 2012: Heather Watson Hunting For Third Round Spot

Brit Heather Watson Hunting For Wimbledon Third Round Spot

Heather Watson will today bid to become the first Brit with a place in the third round of Wimbledon, following on from yesterday's homegrown success in the grand slam.

The 20-year-old, from Guernsey, will take on America's Jamie Lee Hampton on court two.

After her first ever Wimbledon win on the opening day of the grand slam, beating Czech Iveta Benesova, Watson praised the "amazing" centre court crowd.

She said: "I'm so pleased to have got through that. It was tough not knowing when I was going to be on but it worked out pretty well for me.

"This is my first singles win at Wimbledon, including juniors, so I'm so pleased. The crowd was amazing."

Watson, the British number three, has played twice in the main draw at Wimbledon before, both times losing close encounters.

Today she will bid for victory, furthering Britain's successes.

Last night Andy Murray's victory over Nikolay Davydenko saw Britain's most successful start since 2006, when seven Brits made it through to the second round of the tournament.

Five Britons are through to the second round, which could become six if Jamie Baker beats Andy Roddick when their match continues today.

Murray last night said he had let his "tennis do the talking".

"Every week going into Wimbledon, the week beforehand, there's talk about all sorts of things," the Scot said after the game.

"I just wanted to go out there today, play well, keep my focus, and not worry about the other stuff that goes on off the court around this time of the year...Time to let the tennis do the talking."

The comments came after his mother Judy Murray said the 25-year-old "wears his heart on his sleeve" but has learned a lot from his opponents.

Murray yesterday joined Britons James Ward, and women Elena Baltacha and Anne Keothavong securing a place in the second round.

Baker will continue his match against Roddick after it was suspended while he was a set down.

Brits Laura Robson, Johanna Konta and Naomi Broady have all fallen by the wayside, along with Josh Goodall and Oli Golding.

Fans were left elated after Murray's victory last night.

Sue Tippett and son Pete Cooper, who travelled from Romsey in Hampshire, watched the game on Murray Mount.

Dr Tippett, a semi-retired GP, said: "He looked very fit for once, because usually he seems to be nursing some sort of injury or looking as if something is going to go horribly wrong.

"His first match there looked quite a clinical dispatch of the Russian who after about half an hour looked like he wanted to go home."

She predicted the British number one would at least make it to the semi-finals and said Britain's success showed more of an effort was being made to promote grass roots tennis in England.

"The LTA have at long last begun to try and build the support at grass roots level so people will start to come through."

Sarah Powell, 33, from London, who came after work with sister Victoria Hawley, 28, said: "To be honest we're not really Murray fans, but it's great to see a Brit have some success. I'd happily see him through to the semis."

The rain broke through yesterday, interrupting some games, and showers are also predicted today.

World number one Novak Djokovic will continue his campaign, taking on Ryan Harrison on centre court, while Roger Federer will play Fabio Fognini.

Maria Sharapova will play Tsvetana Pironkova on number one court.

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