News: Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy

Heather Watson has followed her impressive showing on the Women's tour by qualifying for the main draw at the AEGON Pro-Series event in Glasgow.

After claiming victory over British No.4 Melanie South in the first round at the AEGON Pro-Series in Barnstaple last month, the Junior US Open champion and ITF Junior No.3 has now reached the main draw in Glasgow after defeating the No.1 seed of the qualifying draw, Mona Barthel (GER, 6-1,7-6(3).

The Brit, ranked 242 places below her opponent in the WTA rankings, can now look forward to a place in the main draw of the $25k event where she will face Selima Sfar(TUN).

“I'm really proud of qualifying. I feel like I get a feel for the courts and I get confidence from it, so it's a great experience,” said Watson.

“I beat the top seed and I'm chuffed with that. I played well and though I made a few more mistakes than usual, I got through it. I had a solid first round and that helped me a lot.”

Watson was supported today by Miss Scotland and Miss World competitor Katherine Brown who was present to support in the development of young tennis players, specifically young girls.

“Katherine was such a nice girl and so pretty and it was fun having my picture taken with her,” added Watson.

“I remember her from playing tournaments years ago when she used to play. Apparently we used to braid each other's hair. If she wins Miss World I'll definitely be telling people I used to do her hair.”

Elsewhere in the women’s draw, Amanda Elliott has been handed a tie against tournament No.1 seed Patricia Mayr (AUT) in the opening round of the main draw.

Elliott won 6-4,4-6, 6-0 against Korina Perkovic (GER) in the final round of qualifying and now meets a player ranked 566 places above her in the main draw.

“It's great to be qualified, and it's really fantastic to have won a couple of matches. I've got nothing to lose from now on," Elliott commented.

British No.12 Anna Smith has also qualified for the main draw after winning 6-1, 6-3 over fellow Brit Natasha Khan. Smith will now meet Stephanie Gehrlein (GER) in the main draw, having met previously in the qualifying for the $25k event in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ESP) last year when Smith went down 4-6, 2-6.

Meanwhile in the men’s singles, tournament No.3 seed Dan Evans secured a 6-0, 6-2 first round victory against qualifier Christopher Simpson (GBR)and David Rice progressed 6-1, 6-2 against Damiano Di Ienno (ITA). There was also British success for Daniel Cox as he recovered from a set down to win 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(4)against fellow Brit James Marsalek.