Heather Watson into semi-finals in Hobart after win over Roberta Vinci

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jan/15/heather-watson-semi-final-hobart-roberta-vinci

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The British No1, Heather Watson, has continued her impressive preparation for next week’s Australian Open by advancing to the semi-finals of the Hobart International on Thursday.

Watson followed up her victory over the fifth seed Sloane Stephens with a 7-6 (7-0), 6-2 win over the Italian ninth seed Roberta Vinci and has yet to drop a set in the tournament.

The world No49 served three aces and won 76% of points on her serve in a hard-fought opening set – after she had fought back from 5-2 down – before racing through the tie-break without dropping a point.

The statistics were even more impressive in the second set with Watson sending down five aces and claiming 84% of points behind her first serve as she broke Vinci three times on her way to victory in an hour and 47 minutes.

“It was very tough at the end, she really stepped up her game,” said Watson. “I didn’t change and kept doing the same things but with great players like her you can’t expect them to give it to you.”

Watson will face the American Alison Riske in the last four after she defeated the second seed Zarina Diyas 6-3, 6-0.