Tuesday 26 August 2014 19:17, UK
Heather Watson’s wait for a win at the US Open continues after she was beaten 6-1 6-1 by Sorana Cirstea in this year’s first round.
The British No 1 won the junior title at Flushing Meadows in 2009 but has not been able to register a match win in the main draw on four separate attempts.
Cirstea set the tone by racing through the first set in 26 minutes and then needed just 28 more to wrap up a simple victory.
Watson’s tame exit was especially disappointing as she entered the tournament on a good run of form which has seen her climb back into the world’s top 50, while out-of-sorts Cirstea has slipped to 80th in the rankings.
"Sorana played very well from the first point all the way through. I just wasn't able to find my game because she didn't give me much time," Watson told Sky Sports.
"It's another week, so I'll just look forward to the doubles. It can't get much worse so it's only moving up from here."
Romania’s Cirstea, who once reached as high as 21 in the world, began the match showing the form of old, thumping aces and forehand winners to leave Watson reeling.
From 1-1 Watson lost six games in a row and, although she seemed to get a foothold with a break of the Cirstea serve in the second game of the second set, she was soon on the back foot again.
Watson had beaten Cirstea in each of their three previous meetings, most recently in the Fed Cup earlier this year, and in 2012 in Miami she won from 5-0 down in the deciding set.
But a comeback never looked on the cards this time around, Cirstea easing further and further ahead before finishing things off with a big forehand.
Watson served a total of eight double faults and made 23 unforced errors compared to just six winners. Her defeat means Andy Murray is already the only British singles player left in either draw.
