Wednesday 17 June 2015 07:22, UK
Heather Watson was beaten 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 in round one by Aleksandra Krunic, a Serbian qualifier, on Tuesday at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham.
It was disappointing defeat for Watson on her return to the grass court. The world No 45 will now focus on Wimbledon, which begins on June 29th.
The Guernsey-born 23-year-old has failed to reach the second round of the Aegon Classic for the second year in a row. It was at this stage last year where Ana Ivanovic conquered her and eventually claimed the title.
This was Watson’s first competitive match since losing in round two of the French Open to America’s Sloane Stephens in straight sets.
Watson wore heavy strapping on her troublesome elbow, which forced her to pull out of last week’s Aegon Open in Nottingham, but is confident she will be fully fit for Wimbledon.
"I'm looking after it and making sure I feel good. I'm definitely going to Eastbourne and I'm definitely going to Wimbledon," she said.
"I don't think it's why I lost, I'm still managing it, still looking after it. I lost because I played really poorly. I made way too many unforced errors, I was very inconsistent. I couldn't relax, couldn't find my rhythm and I just didn't feel comfortable.
"Usually I'll always go out with some nerves and butterflies and within a game or two they're gone and I feel good. But I felt it throughout the whole match from beginning until the end and it got worse as the match went on."
Naomi Broady, a British wild card entry, also bowed out after a 6-4 6-2 defeat by top seed Simona Halep.
The Romanian edged out Broady in the opening set, breaking serve to reach 5-4, and then raced through the second set.
"I think I can say that I have the style to play on grass, because my style is to play fast,” said Halep. “I stay low because I am not very tall, so it helps me to stay there and to take the ball very quickly.
"I served really well today. I improved a lot on my serve. Now I have to improve more in my return. I returned good today, but still have to improve.”
