Brave Watson lives to play another day

HEATHER WATSON'S world ranking is set for another boost after she beat one of the world's top 200 yesterday.

The Sarnian star, who jumped 63 places to No. 353 when the latest ranking list was released earlier this week, has progressed into the second round of the Dothan Pro Classic in Alabama following a three-set victory over Lindsay Lee-Waters.

The American claimed an extremely tight opening set 9-7 in the tie-break, but Watson showed plenty of character to fight back hard and take the next two 6-3, 6-0.

Lee-Waters, an experienced campaigner, is currently ranked 199 in the world and has been as high as No. 43.

Watson, who decided to use one of her junior exemptions to go straight into the main draw of this ITF $50,000 clay-court tournament, will now face the third seed, Evgeniya Rodina.

The 21-year-old Russian is the world No. 112, but needed three sets to overcome young American Shelby Rogers in the opening round yesterday.