Watson back on clay

HEATHER WATSON has made a winning start to her European red clay build-up to the French Open.

She is through the first two qualifying rounds of the WTA Estoril Open, which carries a prize fund of $220,000.

But she had to fight back from a set down before defeating Croatian Karolina Sprem, ranked 153 in the world, 1-6, 6-3, 3-0 retired.

Watson, 124 in the world rankings, then beat Poland's Katarzyna Piter 6-4, 6-4.