Gutsy Watson Falls Just Short

British interest in the women's draw ended as Heather Watson came agonizingly close to causing a first round upset, pushing thirty-first seed Daniela Hantuchova to a third set before losing 7-5 3-6 6-3.

Watson joined compatriot Laura Robson in falling at the first hurdle after Robson lost in straight sets earlier in the day.

After battling through three rounds of qualifying, Watson will be pleased to have tested a seeded player after a difficult season last year suffering from glandular fever. However, having fought toe-to-toe with the Slovakian throughout, she will undoubtedly be disappointed not to progress.

Despite a solid start to the match, Watson found herself a break down at 4-2. However, she was quick to break back, tying the first set up at 4-4. Despite leading 5-4 Watson ended the set with a flurry of nerves, getting broken to eventually lose 7-5.

Watson came out fighting in the second set, refusing to give Hantuchova another break despite her best efforts. Her resilience paid off as she broke the Slovakian to take a 4-2 lead. Both players then broke each other to take it to 5-3. An unlucky Hawk-Eye decision seemed to affect Hantuchova's concentration, as Watson served out the set to take it to a decider.

The third set continued with both players engaged in grueling baseline rallies in the Melbourne heat. Hantuchova had three break points early on but blew them all as Watson held serve. The Slovakian didn't make the same mistake twice, breaking Watson in the next game and racing to a 4-1 lead.

A fantastic forehand return down the line helped set up a break back point which Watson duly converted to make it 4-3. However, it was not to last as Hantuchova broke back before serving out the match, Watson drilling a backhand into the net on match point.

Watson refused to be too down-heartened by the defeat, telling BBC Sport, Even though I might be dropping in the rankings, I'm not worried about that. I've had a good start to the year, I've improved as a player, and it's been a positive few weeks".

Hantuchova will go on to face the Czech, Karolina Pliskova, who came through her first round match against Pauline Parmentier 6-0 6-1. Elsewhere, British hopes now lie firmly in the hands of Andy Murray who begins his campaign on Tuesday evening against Go Soeda.

Published on SEaT Capital.

Watson Into Australian Open With Victory

Heather Watson battled through her final qualifying match against American Irina Falconi to secure her place in the Australian Open.

Her 6-4 7-6(1) victory ensures her third consecutive Melbourne appearance, where she will face 31st seed Daniela Hantuchova in the opening round.

After slipping to 120 in the world rankings, Watson will be looking to cause an upset in order to defend the ranking points won in last year's event, where she reached the third round.

Victory will come as a relief to the youngster, who suffered from a long bout of glandular fever throughout much of the 2013 season. She told BBC Sport, "It would have been the end of the world if I didn't get through".

Watson successfully defended against her opponents mixed style of play, claiming victory in just over two hours on a cool Melbourne afternoon.

After breaking Falconi in the first set to lead 5-3, Watson had the chance to serve for the set but dropped her serve. However, the Guernsey-born star hit back to claim it 6-4.

After a tense second set, missing two match points at 5-4, Watson was ruthless in the tie-break, winning seven consecutive points to claim the victory.

She said, "It was a very tricky match. She's not your usual WTA player. She slices a lot, she's got good hands, good touch, she's not the overpowering type".

After her first round victory Watson admitted to nerves and those returned today. "I got a bit nervous closing it out but it's last round of qualifying; there's a lot on that match".

She will join fellow Brits Laura Robson and Andy Murray in the main draw, the only one of six British players to come through qualifying.

There will be little rest for Watson who is scheduled to play her opening tie on Monday, appearing first on Court 2.