Wimbledon

Heather Watson made her mark on British tennis with a superb display on Centre Court on Monday.

The 20-year-old from Guernsey stunned world number 55 Iveta Benesova to become the first British woman to win on the famous court since Joe Durie in 1985.

Durie told BBC Sport she was stunned that no-one had won there since her, while former British number one Annabel Croft believes "a star has been born" with her "beaming smile" and "infectious enthusiasm".

For world 103 Watson it was a first victory at the All England Club and reward for her efforts since leaving home aged 12 to train at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida.

Unusually for a tennis player, Watson was still at school until 18, but the 2009 US Open junior champion is now making up for lost time.

BBC pundits Durie and Croft analyse Watson's rise and look ahead to what could be a very promising future.

Former world number five Jo Durie
Somebody rang me up on Monday night and said, 'Did you know Heather is the first British woman since you in 1985 to win on Centre Court?'

I replied, 'Are you kidding me? Since then, no-one's done it?' I was trying to rack my brains and I'm actually quite stunned that it's true.

First and foremost, Heather coped brilliantly with playing on Centre for the first time. It can be really daunting, especially when you know you have a match you can win. The surroundings and everything that goes with it are totally unique.

Watson career highlights
•January 2009: Quarter-finalist at Australian Open junior event
•July 2009: Wins first ITF-level title in Frinton
•September 2009: Wins US Open junior title
•June 2010: Wins first main draw match at WTA Tour level beating world number 48 Aleksandra Wozniak at Eastbourne
•May 2011: Wins for the first time in a Grand Slam, beating Stephanie Foretz Gacon at the French Open
•June 2011: Breaks into the top 100
•March 2012 Beats world number 25 Lucie Safarova en route to the third round in Miami
This year, in particular, she has improved her serve and is going for her shots more. I think it was clear last year that she was a good mover and defended well but you need a bit more on the women's tour, you need to take a few chances.

If you can defend, counter-attack and take the initiative then you become a more dangerous player. I think she's worked very hard to do that.

Heather will feel brilliant because she's worked so hard since last year's defeat by Mathilde Johansson here. I was commentating on that match, which she could have won, and I could see she was injured and terribly upset.

She was desperate to win here and I know what that feeling is like; you want to do yourself justice, play well and just show everybody.

Heather now has a second-round encounter with Jamie Hampton, who she beat 6-1 6-2 in their only previous meeting, and that's definitely winnable if she can keep the same attitude and style of play.

I see her becoming the lead British woman before long. Anything from 50 to 100 in the rankings is very doable and, if she gets a few good draws at tournaments, she can break into the top 50.

The British public like a Briton with personality, someone who comes out on court and isn't dour and down on themselves. She has many fans already, but she will pick up a whole load more with performances like we saw on Monday.

It is a well known fact that men tennis players are all ugly.Most women tennis players are well fit.If i was a bit younger i might like to be a ball boy.

Well this one certainly isnt ugly!

This one not bad either!

Like i said ugly

= ugly

= ugly

= ugly

= ugly

= ugly

= fit

You cannot be serious! calling Nadal ugly!

Oh dear ! Nadal not such a pretty boy now is he ?

I've just read about Rafael Nadal's departure as I'm not by any means a follower of tennis - Cherry1 I hope you're getting over the shock by now!

To cheer you up, here's a funny send-up of John McEnroe - if it's possible to send him up any more than he did himself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poJN7ix16hU&feature=related

Lioned wrote:Oh dear ! Nadal not such a pretty boy now is he ?

Federer at his best was like a Greek god playing tennis, Nadal is quite different but I wouldn't call him ugly and as a person he seems very nice.

The prize for the most unattractive tennis player will have to go to Murray, ungainly, opinionated and bad mannered. That's in a competition where we also have the likes of Djokovich who has at least one redeeming feature, he loves his dog.

Lioned wrote:Oh dear ! Nadal not such a pretty boy now is he ?

Poor Nadal!

Welcome back Cherry. I'd noticed that you hadn't been around since Thursday and wondered if you were still drowning your sorrows!

Hi NBY, I hadnt done a runner to drown my sorrows, although upset my favourite Nadal went out so early! - went away with b/f for lovely long weekend thanks.

Does anyone in the World actually like Andy Murrey ?

Not me

His mum maybe? Not that that's always guaranteed!

At least he has won for Britain, would be great to have a Brit
win Wimbledon after all these years, this will be difficult in the final
as one of my heart throbs Federer playing against Andy but on this
occasion will have to support the Brit!

I think the Charisma Fairy had a night off when Murrey was born.

Well Britain has won the Men's double for the first time since 1936 or something like that.

As for Murray the Nation has gone berserk and much as I would like to see him win, he will be no match for Federer I fear.

He dont want to be British,certainly not English,he is a dour Scot with not an ounce of personality.That said,he has improved immensely over the last year or two and i'd probably like to see him win now just to get it out of the way.

I have total respect for Andy Murray. At 8 years old he was hiding under a desk avoiding being killed by a hail of bullets during the Dunblane school massacre, this horrific tragedy will stay with him forever. To carry on in life and become one of the top tennis players in the world and be the first Brit to reach the Wimbledon final in 76 years, then I applaud him and wish him the very best of luck tomorrow. I am certain when he looked up to the skies after beating Tsonga yesterday (which he won't say was about) was a message to his school friends whom he lost during the massacre. Go Andy! You deserve the success

Lioned wrote:He dont want to be British,certainly not English,he is a dour Scot with not an ounce of personality.That said,he has improved immensely over the last year or two and i'd probably like to see him win now just to get it out of the way.

Hi Lioned, no, I don't like him either but it is down to Lendl, his new Coach ,for the change in his temperament.With all the dreadful floods in the U.K.
there is talk that if it rains too heavily the match will be postponed. The ex pectation that Murray will win has really gripped the Nation but I can't
see it happening......not against Federer!!

Lioned wrote:He dont want to be British,certainly not English,he is a dour Scot with not an ounce of personality.That said,he has improved immensely over the last year or two and i'd probably like to see him win now just to get it out of the way.

Come on now Lioned, you must admit the boy has talent. When other players start losing, they just change their racquet. Andy Murray changes his entire nationality! You don't even have to watch the match to see whether he's winning, you just have to listen to the BBC news to see whether he's still "British".

jd16 wrote:I have total respect for Andy Murray. At 8 years old he was hiding under a desk avoiding being killed by a hail of bullets during the Dunblane school massacre, this horrific tragedy will stay with him forever. To carry on in life and become one of the top tennis players in the world and be the first Brit to reach the Wimbledon final in 76 years, then I applaud him and wish him the very best of luck tomorrow. I am certain when he looked up to the skies after beating Tsonga yesterday (which he won't say was about) was a message to his school friends whom he lost during the massacre. Go Andy! You deserve the success

Hi jd16, I didn't know that about Andy, must have been traumatic for him. However, he has grown up to be an ambitious Man travelling the World to
Tennis Tournaments, has a pretty Girlfriend yet has still not developed a friendly disposition. For the sake of his Fans and the expectation of the Nation
I would like to see him win but doubt he will.