Watson on a winning roll

HEATHER WATSON has claimed back-to-back wins for the first time since February.

After a tight first-round victory over world No. 69 Christina McHale on Tuesday, the 21-year-old Sarnian came through another three-set encounter yesterday to defeat Czech Lucie Hradecka 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 and reach the quarter-finals of the ITF event in Poitiers.

It is the first time since Watson made the last eight at the WTA tournament in Memphis in February that she has won consecutive matches.

That previous occasion took her to a career high of 39th in the world rankings, but shortly afterwards she was diagnosed with glandular fever, which sidelined her for two months.

Since her return to action, Watson had won only five singles matches before arriving in Poitiers and her world ranking has fallen to 133rd, making her now the British No. 3 having been the No. 1.

Therefore, in a bid to end her difficult year on a high, she has dropped down to play on the second-tier ITF circuit.

She now meets third seed Alison Riske in the quarter-finals after the American defeated Canada's Stephanie Dubois convincingly in straight sets yesterday.

Riske is ranked 58th in the world.