• French Open

Watson and Robson edge closer to French Open

ESPN staff
May 24, 2012
Heather Watson is now just a single victory away from making the main draw for the French Open © Getty Images
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Heather Watson is a win away from qualifying for the main draw of the French Open, after the Brit beat Tunisian Ons Jabeur 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 and it is a similar scenario for Laura Robson.

Watson put in a strong showing against Jabeur, who won the junior title at Roland Garros in 2011. The Tunisian recovered from 5-2 down in the first set to level, and then raced into a 5-1 lead in the tiebreak.

However, Watson won six straight points to take the first set and then won three games on the bounce to seal the second after the pair had stood at 3-3.

Italian Anna Floris now stands between Watson and the French Open, and the pair will meet in the final qualifying round on Friday.

Watson, 20, became the first British woman to reach the first round proper of the French Open in 28 years when she qualified for last year's competition, and in reaching the second round she became the first British woman to win a singles match at Roland Garros since 1994.

Robson was in action later in the day and the teenager proved too gritty for Laura Thorpe, winning 7-5 7-6(5). Robson has never been in the main draw inParis and must overcome Karolina Pliskova to do so.

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