Watson out in France

HEATHER WATSON'S French Open preparations took a hit with a crashing defeat in the first round of the ITF $50,000 Saint-Gaudens clay event in France.

Watson, who celebrates her 20th birthday this Saturday and was seeded five for the tournament, lost 6-2,

6-1 to the French clay specialist Kristina Mladenovic.

Watson also suffered an early exit in the doubles in partnership with American Irina Falconi.