Britain's Heather Watson wins Hobart International

Posted January 16, 2015 10:00 pm

The Associated Press

HOBART, Australia (AP) - Britain's Heather Watson defeated American Madison Brengle 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday to win the Hobart International title without dropping a set.

The players traded service breaks early in the first set with wind gusts impacting the strength of serves. But Watson's powerful baseline play saw her prevail, giving her a second WTA tournament title along with her Japan Open win at Osaka in 2012.

Watson became the first British woman in more than 30 years to have two career WTA titles. Anne Hobbs won at Auckland, New Zealand in 1985 and at Indianapolis in 1983.

"It's all coming together, I'm feeling very confident, very fit," Watson said.

The 22-year-old Watson plays Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova in the first round of the Australian Open. Brengle takes on 13th-seeded Andrea Petkovic of Germany.

"I know her game well," Watson said of Pironkova. "She always has a good run in Australia. She's a toughie but in a Grand Slam, everybody's a toughie."

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