Watson stands alone for Britain

Heather Watson was attempting last night to become the only British woman to win a main-draw match in the final week before the start of the Australian Open next Monday.

Having qualified for the first round in Hobart by beating Germany's Kristina Barrois, Watson was due to face Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova. The British No 3 withdrew from the season-opening tournament in Auckland with an ankle injury. British No 1 Elena Baltacha lost 6-2, 7-5 to Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu in the first round in Hobart. Anne Keothavong, the British No 2, lost to Michaella Krajicek in the first round of qualifying in Sydney.