MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 16:02:23| >> :600:292175463:292175463:

Heather Watson: Andy Murray "great role model" for British youngsters

Heather Watson credits Andy Murray's influence for the influx of British players competing in next week's Australian Open.

Heather Watson has revealed that she feels "blessed" to have been given the chance to play alongside Andy Murray recently.

The 22-year-old yesterday became the first British woman in 20 years to claim two WTA titles when she saw off Madison Brengle 6-3 6-4 in the Hobart International final.

That will act as the perfect preparation heading into the first Grand Slam of the season, where she will join fellow Brits James Ward, Kyle Edmund and Murray.

Having teamed up with Murray at the recent Hopman Cup mixed event, Watson was quick to credit the 2013 Wimbledon winner for his influence on other young players.

"He's a great role model for us British players to have," she is quoted as saying by ESPN. "I felt so blessed to have the opportunity to play with him and just see how professional, hard-working and competitive he is.

"He's such a good person to look up to, he's so nice and friendly. I learnt a lot from him on and off the court."

Watson will face Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova in the opening round of the Australian Open, which gets underway in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

ID:199677: cacheID:199677:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2308:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Kyle Edmund of Great Britain celebrates a point against Julien Benneteau of France during their first round match on March 19, 2014
Read Next:
Edmund qualifies for Australian Open
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
10am
Blanch
Nadal
Result
Cachin
Ofner
6 6
3 3
Result
Elahi Galan
Bautista-Agut
64 6 1
77 4 6
Result
Gasquet
Sonego
2 5
6 7
Result
Hanfmann
Mensik
4 63
6 77
10am
Koepfer
Carballes Baena
10am
Kovacevic
Medjedovic
Result
Lajovic
Monteiro
4 3
6 6
Result
Machac
Ruusuvuori
6 1 6
4 6 2
10am
Michelsen
Fonseca
Result
Nishioka
Auger-Aliassime
6 1 4
4 6 6
Result
O'Connell
Arnaldi
4 1
6 6
Result
Purcell
Giron
4 6 77
6 4 62
10am
Ramos-Vinolas
Kotov
Result
Tabilo
Cobolli
7 4 4
5 6 6
Result
Zhizhen
Kecmanovic
3 2
6 6
Result
Azarenka
Maria
6 6
3 1
10am
Eala
Cirstea
10am
Annie Fernandez
Potapova
Result
Gauff
Rus
6 6
0 0
Result
Keys
Camelia-Begu
77 78
63 66
Result
Podoroska
Navarro
2 1
6 6
10am
Karolina Schmiedlova
Jabeur
10am
Swiatek
Wang
10am
Baez
Van Assche
10am
Coric
Zverev
10am
Martin Etcheverry
Shapovalov
10am
Humbert
Van De Zandschulp
10am
Hurkacz
Draper
10am
Marozsan
Cerundolo
10am
Paul
Klein
10am
Rublev
Bagnis
10am
Alexandrova
Krueger
10am
Andreeva
Noskova
10am
Bejlek
Kalinskaya
10am
Boulter
Montgomery
10am
Bronzetti
Rybakina
10am
Collins
Danilovic
3pm
Cristian
Krejcikova
10am
Dolehide
Kalinina
10am
Garcia
Wang
10am
Linette
Sabalenka
10am
Pavlyuchenkova
Saville
Result
Sorribes Tormo
Svitolina
6 7
3 5
Result
Vekic
Sakkari
3 2
6 6
Result
Arango
Yastremska
6 5 4
0 7 6
Result
Osaka
Samsonova
2 6 5
6 4 7
Result
Ostapenko
Bouzas Maneiro
6 6
3 1
Result
Haddad Maia
Errani
6 6
3 2
2.30pm
Lourdes Carle
Kudermetova
2.30pm
Mertens
Stephens


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!