Tennis: Watson's WTA run is ended

BRITISH tennis youngster Heather Watson was narrowly beaten by world No.33 Elena Vesnina in the opening round of the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, United States.

By The Newsroom

Published 14th Apr 2010, 10:59 BST

Updated 14th Apr 2010, 13:19 BST

The US Open junior champion qualified for the main draw of a WTA Tour event for the first time with wins over Ekaterina Dzehalevich and Zarina Diyas. But tenth seed Vesnina was a step too far, although Watson was not outclassed, losing 7-6 (7/4) 6-3.

The pair exchanged breaks in the opening set, with 17-year-old Watson matching her opponent until the Russian edged ahead in the tie-break.

Watson broke first in the second set but Vesnina hit straight back and broke twice more.