Heather Watson has sights set on more titles

Watson won the Hobart trophy on Friday night

(Getty Images)

Heather Watson is set to climb to a career-high position at No 38 in the world rankings tomorrow after winning her second career title, but the 22-year-old from Guernsey will believe it only when she sees it.

“I never like to guess [my ranking] because if it’s not [what I expect] then I won’t be as happy,” Watson said in the wake of her 6-3 6-4 victory over Madison Brengle in the final of the Hobart International. “I’m just going to pretend my ranking will be, like, No 45. When it is No 38 I’ll be really happy.”

Watson, who won her only other title on the main WTA tour at the end of 2012, dropped to No 161 in the rankings 11 months ago as she struggled to recover from glandular fever but has worked hard to regain lost ground. She did not lose a set all week in Hobart, where some of her matches were played in difficult conditions of wind and rain.

“I was just overwhelmed when I won my first title,” Watson recalled. “This one felt more like I belonged here, this was where I should be. I really believed and backed myself to win it.”

She added: “A lot of players are very consistent and go deep into tournaments but never actually clear that final hurdle. For me it’s very important. I like to have a title to my name.”

Watson faces Tsvetana Pironkova, a former Wimbledon semi-finalist, in the first round of the Australian Open, which starts tomorrow. She has beaten the Bulgarian in two of their four meetings, most recently at Eastbourne last summer. “We always have really good, competitive long matches,” Watson said.

“I really look forward to it and I’ve already got my game plan sorted out. I feel so fit and healthy. I think it’s really showed in my matches this week. I haven’t got really sore or tired in any of them.”