Battling defeat for Watson

Heather Watson: Battling defeat at the Bell Challenge in Quebec

Heather Watson gave third seed Mona Barthel a scare before bowing out of the Bell Challenge in Quebec.

Watson had won the first set on a tie-break today before her world No.36-ranked opponent levelled proceedings.

Barthel then capitalised as Watson appeared to run out of steam in the decider, the 22-year-old advancing courtesy of a hard-fought 6-7 (5/7) 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 win in two hours and 38 minutes.

Barthel will be joined in the second round by fellow seed Yanina Wickmayer - with the Belgian having recovered from a slow start.

Composure

The second seed looked to be in for a tough night's work when she was broken in her first service game by Alison Riske.

However, Wickmayer regained her composure and was in clinical mood, converting five of six break point opportunities, to close out a comfortable 6-3 6-3 triumph.

There was a slight surprise, though, as fifth seed Romina Oprandi crashed out 6-1 7-6 (13/11) to Annika Beck.

Tatjana Malek followed fellow Germans Barthel and Beck in to the next round as she progressed with a 7-6 (7/3) 6-3 triumph over Alexa Glatch.

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