Watson's big scalp

HEATHER WATSON is riding high after picking up her biggest victory to date in her young career.

The 17-year-old Guernsey tennis star (pictured), who signed terms with leading sport agency IMG and turned professional after sensationally winning last year's US Junior Open, is competing in the Tangipahoa Tourism and Loeb Law Firm $25,000 Tennis Classic in Hammond, Louisiana, this week.

After going through two rounds of qualifiers, Watson, who is ranked 486th in the world, came up against former world number seven Nicole Vaidisova – and came out on top after an epic three-set battle.

The 6ft tall, 20-year-old Vaidisova, of the Czech Republic, was a student at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida where Watson is based.

Vaidisova reached the semi-finals of the French Open in 2006, defeating Amelie Mauresmo and Venus Williams on the way before losing to Svetlana Kuznetsova.

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