Watson through

HEATHER WATSON is through to the second round of the Open GDF SUEZ de Cagnes-sur-Mer Alpes-Maritimes.

The Guernsey girl got through her opening match in the $100,000 clay-court event the hard way yesterday in France, coming from a set down to beat Eva Birnerova of the Czech Republic 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in a match between the world No. 115 and 114 respectively.

'It wasn't the prettiest match, but I fought and got through to the second round,' said Watson, who now faces the number three seed Alexandra Cadantu of Romania in the same half of the draw as top seed Elena Baltacha, the British No. 1 and Watson's Fed Cup teammate.