Heather Watson’s recovery gathering momentum

The British number two defeated world number 27 Varvara Lepchenko 6-3 6-4 to set up a second-round clash with Russia’s Elena Vesnina.

Watson spent two months out with the illness before returning at the French Open and posted her first win in Birmingham last week against Melinda Czink.

American Lepchenko was certainly a step up and represents one of the best wins, rankings-wise, that Watson has had in her career.

Things did not begin well for the 21-year-old, who dropped her serve in the opening game, but she hit straight back and then broke again to lead 4-2 before serving out the first set.

The second set was extremely tight and Watson was under pressure for much of it but she hung on and then broke in the ninth game, saving one break point as she clinched victory on her first match point.

Vesnina, meanwhile, pulled off a first-round upset with a 2-6 6-4 6-3 win over seventh seed Ana Ivanovic.

Also through to round two are former Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli and Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer, while a notable result in qualifying saw Kristyna Pliskova beat twin sister Karolina.

In the men’s tournament, eighth seed Fabio Fognini fought back from a set down to defeat Grega Zemlja 6-7 (6/8) 6-2 6-4.

It was a landmark day for 18-year-old Kyle Edmund, who recorded his first ATP World Tour win with victory over France’s Kenny De Schepper.

Edmund, from Beverley in East Yorkshire, is regarded as Britain’s brightest young talent and has been given a wild card into the main draw at Wimbledon.

He played his first main tour match at Queen’s Club last week and was hugely impressive today, serving out to love for a 6-4 6-4 win over a player ranked 360 places higher.

In the second round Edmund is due to face second seed Gilles Simon, who hobbled off the practice court yesterday with ice around his left ankle.