However, the Guernsey star, who is ranked 117 places above her first qualifying round opponent Arina Rodionova, had to overcome a nervy start in Melbourne before winning in straight sets 6-4, 6-3.
'I was very nervous,' Watson said.
'I feel like in the middle I loosened up but my energy really dropped at the end because I think all the nervous energy had worn me out. But I was able to close it out.'
World No. 120 Watson will now face 32-year-old French player Stephanie Foretz Gacon, who is ranked 161st in the world, in the second round of qualifying at 11pm GMT today.
More in today's Guernsey Press.
