Watson secures first round Aegon Classic victory as Wimbledon preparations gather pace

IT HAS been a good few days for Heather Watson.

She ended last week by learning the official confirmation of her spot in Team GB for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August.

With that – as well as even-closer looming Wimbledon around the corner – she received a boost to learn her suspected abdominal strain injury was not as bad as first feared.

That allowed her to compete as planned in the Aegon Classic, and in Birmingham yesterday she kick-started her grass court season with a strong win.

Italian Camila Giorgi was the victim as Watson handled the late start much better and made the most of her advantage in the world rankings with a 6-4, 7-5 success.

• Full story in Tuesday's Guernsey Press