Heather Watson expecting tough test

Heather Watson Abierto Monterrey Afirme

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Heather Watson admits she will have to produce her best tennis to win the Abierto Monterrey Afirme in Mexico after reaching the final on Saturday night.

The Brit managed to overcome former world number one Caroline Wozniacki in the quarter-finals and she continued her good form to beat Caroline Garcia in the last four.

She romped home with a comfortable 6-1 6-2 win to record her third victory over Garcia. Watson won 86 per cent of her points on her first serve, firing down five aces during the match as she cruised into the final.

The 23-year-old will be hoping to win her third WTA title but she will have to get past Kirsten Flipkens in the final after she beat Anett Kontaveit.

The Guernsey-born star won in Japan in October 2012 and Hobart in January 2015 but a number of injuries have derailed her progress on the circuit.

Watson has lost both her matches to Flipkens and she concedes that she will need to bring her best tennis to overcome the 30-year-old Belgian.

“I was very happy with how I played today. I knew I was going to have to play well,” she said.

“I’m very happy to be in the final. I’ve played Kirsten a few times and she’s very experienced. It definitely won’t be easy so I’m going to have to bring my A-game tomorrow [Sunday].”

Despite the head-to-head record, Watson has been installed as the 1.61 favourite to win, with Flipkens available at odds of 2.25.

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