Riske ousted in semifinals
Heather Watson, the No. 1-ranked British women’s tennis player, overcame the elements and her nerves Friday to reach the final of the Hobart International.
In a match played in strong winds and interrupted six times by rain, Watson defeated Alison Riske of McMurray, 6-3, 7-5, in the semifinals.
Watson, the world No. 49 player, recovered from a 3-1 deficit in the opening set to win the next five games and also came back from the same deficit in the second set. Leading 5-4, Watson let her first two match points slip away when heavy rain forced the players from the court.
That led to a delay of an hour and Watson served a double fault when play eventually resumed, then lost the next two points and her serve.
However, the 22-year-old Watson broke Riske’s serve to lead 6-5 and then served out for a place in today’s final against American Madison Brengle.