Heather Watson negotiates first qualifying match for French Open

Heather Watson breezed through her first qualifying match at the French Open this morning against Canada's Sharon Fichman.

The 20-year-old, who is aiming to qualify for the main draw at Roland Garros for the second successive year, triumphed 6-1 6-2 to set up a meeting with either Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia or Turkey's Ons Jabeur.

Twelve months ago Watson became the first British woman to qualify at the tournament since Kate Brasher in 1983, while her first-round victory over Stephanie Foretz Gacon was the first in the main draw by a British woman since Clare Wood in 1994.

That run took the Guernsey player into the top 100 but she has struggled for form and fitness this season and is currently ranked 109th.

PA