Watson ahead of her targets

HEATHER WATSON is ahead of her schedule to break into the top 600 of the women's ITF world rankings.

The 17-year-old, who will return to competitive action later this month, is now ranked 588th in singles and 593rd in doubles in the women's rankings and third in the junior world rankings.

Watson returned to Florida having competed in two Aegon Pro Series women's events in the UK and has begun preparations for her next tournament, the $50,000 in Toronto, Canada.

Here she has been accepted into the qualifying round, which is set to begin on Saturday with the tournament main draw beginning next Monday.

This will be her last senior tournament for 2009 and just to make the main draw will be tough because most of her qualifying rivals carry world rankings in the 200s and 300s.

She is the only Briton attempting to qualify and the tournament favourite is American Laura Granville, ranked 84 in the world.

Her father, Ian, said that breaking the top 600 is like an early Christmas present for Heather.