By Emma Thurston

Last Updated: 01/07/22 10:02 PM Heather Watson is making her 12th appearance at the Wimbledon Championships
Britain’s Heather Watson is through to the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time in her career after a 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 win over Kaja Juvan. The Briton worked hard to take the first set and then hit her opponent off the court for much of the second set. The first time Watson tried to serve for the match she was broken, before steadying her nerves and going through a long final game, with five deuces to take her first match point. “First of all, it wouldn’t be me if there wasn’t a bit of drama at the end,” the 30-year-old told the court. “Wow, what an atmosphere, there’s nowhere I’d rather play. “I’m so happy. Thanks to my team for pushing me and being with me through everything. Playing here at home, the atmosphere is everything. Everyone come back for my fourth round!” Watson will face Jule Niemeier next in the singles draw, but before that, she will be back on court on Friday to play doubles with Harriet Dart. Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you cannot view these Privacy Options
This third-round win marks a landmark moment in the 30-year-old’s career, having never reached this point in a singles major before. Watson made her singles debut at the Championships in 2010 and five years later, served for her third-round match against Serena Williams. Then he couldn’t get over the line and this time on Court No. 1, Watson also found serving for the match a challenge.

Match statistics

                Heather Watson Kaja Juvan 2 Aces 1 2 Double Faults 5 58% First Serve % 50% 74% First Serve % Win 55% 47% Second Serve % Win 52% 17/27 Net Points Won 11/23 4/6 Break points won 2/8 31 winners 27 19 unforced errors 21 76 Total points 62

An even first set was decided by a tiebreak, in which Watson needed four set points to take it. After that, the Brit raised her level again while world No. 62 Juvan was lost. Watson didn’t need a second invitation to punish her and before the final matches, she had all the answers. However, at 5-0 Juvan began to get through the ball freely again and deny Watson an easy run over the line. In the big points, Watson found her spots on her first serve and continued to combine excellent backhand power with deft lobs and clutch volleys. A protracted final game pitted Watson’s side, but the 30-year-old eventually created a match point and took it with both hands. “I still wouldn’t be playing if I thought that ship had sailed,” Watson added afterwards. “I’m very happy to finally enter the second week of a singles Grand Slam.” Jabeur was a quarter-finalist in the Championship last year
Elsewhere in the draw, Ons Jabeur sent a message of intent with a 6-2 6-3 win over Diane Parry that lasted just 68 minutes on Center Court. The third seed showed the variety she has in her game and will face Elise Mertens in the fourth round. Mertens defeated former champion Angelique Kerber 6-4 7-5. An outdoor match on Court 2 provided the shock of the day as Tatjana Maria beat fifth seed Maria Sakkari 6-3 7-5. Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you cannot view these Privacy Options
At 34, Maria is the oldest German player in the Open Era to reach the fourth round at a Grand Slam tournament. Maria will face 12th seed Jelena Ostapenko, who was the first woman to advance to the fourth round, following her 3-6 6-1 6-1 defeat of Irina Begu.

Williams makes a triumphant return with Murray

                                                            Venus Williams and Jamie Murray

Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams returned to grand-slam action on Friday night with a win alongside Jamie Murray in the mixed doubles. The 42-year-old bowed out in the second round of singles at Wimbledon last year and has only competed in one other match since, sparking talk of a retirement. Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you cannot view these Privacy Options
But a surprise wildcard announcement earlier in the week saw the American return to the London lawn to team up with Murray, three years since siblings Serena Williams and Andy Murray paired up at SW19. And a 6-3 6-7 (3) 6-3 victory over Michael Venus and Alicja Rosolska ensured the pair will continue to fly the family flag at Wimbledon after Andy and Serena made an early exit from the singles. Join us for coverage from the All England Club with our daily live blog via skysports.com/tennis our Twitter account @skysportstennis & Sky Sports – on the go! Available to download now on – iPhone & iPad and Android