Not going well for Heather. She had 33 year old Melnikova, 221 in the world, modest CH of 170, and has been playing at Sharm the past couple of weeks, and has largely operated at the W25 level for a while, but it's currently 5-7 1-4*, so a very long way back.

Harriet has Oceane Dodin in Q1.

Just 2 rounds this week. Harriet could have a quick rematch with Eikeri in Q2 (who has stepped in late for Yastremska) IF she were to beat Dodin, but more likely to be Cristian. Probably not even worth speculating who Heather may or may not face in a potential FQR. *1-5 now.

After competing well in tight losses against top 50 players 3 tournaments in row, that does feel like a big step back for Heather. Lost 5-7 1-6.

Oh dear 

QR1: Marina Melnikova (RUS) WR 221 beat (q11) Heather Watson WR 83 by 7-5 6-1

QR1: (q16) Océane Dodin (FRA) WR 95 beat Harriet Dart WR 126 by 7-5 6-4

With Heather's 2020 Acapulco title points due to drop off on 28/02 she should drop back in the rankings to the same points as Harriet, both on 552 points, probably in the 120s in the rankings.

indiana wrote:

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Oh dear 

QR1: Marina Melnikova (RUS) WR 221 beat (q11) Heather Watson WR 83 by 7-5 6-1

QR1: (q16) Océane Dodin (FRA) WR 95 beat Harriet Dart WR 126 by 7-5 6-4

With Heather's 2020 Acapulco title points due to drop off on 28/02 she should drop back in the rankings to the same points as Harriet, both on 552 points, probably in the 120s in the rankings.

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 Heather's result was more than disappointing. Then she's struggled for wins for a while now with the exception of Birmingham last year. I'd say she's been fortunate to be able to even enter some tournaments a she has benefitted more than most of the UK women from points accumulated from successful ITF tournaments back in 2019 (still as over 100 points on her ranking from then) as well as the Acapulco points now 2 years old. Obviously not her fault but it will be good to eventually get back to more accurate rankings for all players.

You'd have to be honest and say her true ranking has probably been outside the top 100 for quite a while now based upon her more recent results. She suffered a similar fall off in form in 2019 and then dropped down to the ITF level to successfully gain points and wins. May need to do the same once more.

SuperT wrote:

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Steve J wrote:

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This is not the first time that I have looked at Ms. Watson's choices as to which tournaments to play and wondered what she was thinking. There is a 250 in Mexico this week with a weak field that would be a much better fit for her current level.

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 She's also had a lot of success in Mexico in the past so you would have thought she might have wanted to play there again.

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 And Heather looks like she will lose the doubles top spot in a month or so with Tara taking over - Heather has a fair few points coming off in around 5 weeks time. 

Aberdaberdonian wrote:

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To be honest, i wouldn't be surprised if Heather called it quits this year. This is what, her 14th year on the tour? Other than Emily, i don't thing there will have been many british women who have played that long.
After Acapulco drops, it looks like she's not defending much until June when her 110 points from Birmingham drop. So if she's hasn't managed to bank some points before then, maybe one more go at Wimbledon before bowing out.....?

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 Personally I don't think she's ready to retire yet. She's not Jo who seems to have many interests outside tennis and she's only 29.  I think she's more likely to try the ITF rote.  I remember she won a the Midland Miami 100K a few years ago and there are several events at that level in April / May.