Heather Watson through to 2023 Nottingham Open quarter-finals, Liam Broady and Arthur Fery knocked out

Heather Watson reached the quarter-finals of the Nottingham Open after defeating Tatjana Maria 6-4 6-4 on Wednesday afternoon.

British 31-year-old Watson is ranked No. 195 in the world, well below No. 66-ranked German Maria.

But Watson broke twice in each set to secure a meeting against Swiss world No. 99 Viktorija Golubic.

“I’m really happy with the direction it is moving in so I’m really looking forward to the next match.

“Tatjana is my best friend on tour, we have played doubles together and spent a lot of time together. It’s never easy to play a friend but at the same time it’s really special sharing the court with her.”

Watson lost 7-5 6-2 against Golubic in the last 16 at Nottingham in 2022.

“I played her last year here but was injured so [it is] nice to play her again,” said Watson.

In the men’s side of the draw, Liam Broady and Arthur Fery both suffered exits.

Broady was up against Japanese player Sho Shimabukuro, and lost 7-6(7-4) 6-4. Shimabukuro is ranked No. 177, 26 spots beneath Broady, and both players broke one another in the first set before Shimabukuro won the tie-break.

He then pushed home his advantage to pull away in the second to claim victory.

Fery, who is at No. 409 in the world, lost against Germany’s Dominik Koepfer, ranked No. 95 and the fifth seed in Nottingham.

Fery had done well to earn his first main-draw win on the Challenger Tour on Tuesday when he beat Steven Johnson, but came up short on Wednesday.

“It was a tough match and he took me by surprise right from the start,” said Fery after the defeat.

“He hit the ball hard and really took it to me so I’m a bit frustrated but came up against a good player.”

Andy Murray will face Hugo Grenier on Thursday as he looks to continue his good form from winning the Surbiton Trophy last week.

Katie Boutler, Jodie Burrage and Harriet Dart also play on Thursday.