HEATHER WATSON has qualified for the quarter-final at the Thailand Open – her first in 18 months.
The British number six beat Na-Lae Han 6-3 5-7 6-4 in a marathon three-set that lasted two hours and 33 minutes.
“It was a really, really tough match,” said Watson.
“It was actually a bit shorter than my first match, but it felt a lot longer because the conditions were really tough, it was very humid. It was just a real physical battle out there.
“I think tennis went out the window and it was just survival of the fittest. And I’m just really pleased I could get over the line and serve out when it mattered.”
The 30-year-old had recorded her first win over a top 50 opponent since March 2022 in the previous round as she beat world No 44 Putintseva 5-7 6-4 7-6 (5) over three hours.
Watson entered the tournament on the back of losing to Aliona Bolsova in the first round of Australian Open qualifying.