Lilian Watson

Lilian Watson
Lilian Watson, standing on the left. Her sister Maud is sitting on the right.
Full nameLilian Mary Watson
Country (sports) United Kingdom
Born(1857-09-17)17 September 1857
Harrow, London, England
Died27 May 1918(1918-05-27) (aged 60)
Berkswell, England
Singles
Grand Slam singles results
WimbledonF (1884)

Lilian Mary Watson (17 September 1857 – 27 May 1918) was an English female tennis player.

Biography

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Lilian Watson was born on 17 September 1857 in Harrow, Middlesex,[1] the daughter of a local vicar Henry William and Emily Frances Watson.[2]

In 1881 she reached the final of the Edgbaston Open where she lost in three sets to her sister Maud Watson.

In 1883 she reached the final of the Teignmouth and Shaldon Open that was played on asphalt courts, but was defeated by Florence Mardall two sets to one.

In 1884, she and her younger sister Maud played in the first women's competition at the Wimbledon Championships. Both met in the final which Maud won 6–8, 6–3, 6–3 to become Wimbledon's first female champion.[1]

Lilian played at Wimbledon in the following two years. In 1885, she was defeated in the first round by Jane Meikle. In the same year, she won the doubles title at the Irish Championships alongside her sister Maud. In her final Wimbledon appearance in 1886 she reached the semifinals in which she was defeated by eventual champion Blanche Bingley.[3]

She died on 27 May 1918, aged 60, at Berkswell.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Collins, Bud (2010). The Bud Collins History of Tennis (2nd ed.). [New York]: New Chapter Press. p. 712. ISBN 978-0942257700.
  2. ^ Little, Alan (1983). Maud Watson : The First Wimbledon Lady Champion. London: The Kenneth Ritchie Wimbledon Library, The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum. ISBN 978-0906741115.
  3. ^ Barrett, John (2001). Wimbledon : The Official History of the Championships. London: CollinsWillow. pp. 30, 247. ISBN 0007117078.
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