Heather Watson is into the Hobart International second round after upsetting No.3 seed Sorana Cirstea.
After earning her place in this year’s draw as a qualifier, Watson impressed in a 7-5 6-3 win over the world No.37.
“I’m very pleased with that win,” Watson said. “Sorana had a great year last year and she’s in some of the best form of her career.
“She’s also a good friend of mine, so it’s never easy playing a friend.”
The Brit made a perfect start, racing to a 4-0 lead in the opening set. Cirstea responded by winning the next five games, before Watson won the next three and the set.
“That first set was a real battle,” Watson admitted.
The 12th game, on Cirstea’s serve, saw the No.74-ranked Watson squander eight set points before finally clinching it.
“I was happy I kept getting the opportunities, but I was frustrated I wasn’t being aggressive enough on those points. I was on the deuce points, just not on the ad,” Watson said.
“So I was like ‘c’mon, just go for it’.”
On her ninth set point, Watson breaks to take the opener 7-5 over Cirstea #HobartTennis pic.twitter.com/es8dQ98zEk
— Hobart International (@HobartTennis) January 8, 2018
Watson, the Hobart International champion in 2015, plays Australian wildcard Jaimee Fourlis next.
READ MORE: Fourlis scores first WTA win
Watson warned her confidence was building after winning three matches in as many days.
“It’s such tough work getting through qualies, there’s so many good players. Then where I was put in the main draw, against Sorana, was just an extremely tough first round,” she said.
“But I’m so pleased with the matches I’m getting in. It’s just all building and building.”