Women in sport, womenssport, women's sport, woman, sports, sport, professional sports women Heather Watson has defeated Varvara Lepchenko in straight sets in the opening round of the women's singles at the Aegon International, Eastbourne.
The British No.2 ran out a 6-3, 6-4 winner over the American world No.27 to delight the home crowds on Centre Court at Devonshire Park.
Earlier Elena Vesnina upset seventh seed Ana Ivanovic, coming from a set behind to triumph 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 whilst former winner Marion Bartoli was a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 victor over Italy's Flavia Pennetta.
There was a strong showing from the British women on Tuesday at the Aegon International as Laura Robson and Elena Baltacha both won into round two of the singles event.
Along with Heather Watson they make up only the second time that three British women have reach round two of the singles in Eastbourne since 1991.
Robson was a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 winner over Ukrainian qualifier Yuliya Beygelzimer on Centre Court, whilst Baltacha also took on a qualifier, beating Kristyna Pliskova 7-6, 7-6(3) on Court 3.
It was not such good news for Jo Konta who was defeated 6-4, 6-3 by world No.44 Su-Wei Hsieh on Court 3. Away from the Brits there was a big upset as No.1 seed Agnieszka Radwanska was beaten in straight sets by American qualifier Jamie Hampton 7-6(2), 6-2.
In the first match on Court 1 Caroline Wozniacki beat defending champion Tamira Paszek, after the Austrian retired in the second set with a left thigh injury. Wozniacki, in front of the on looking Rory McIlory, won 6-2, 2-2 and will play Robson in the next round.
In the men’s singles Bernard Tomic ended James Ward’s campaign with a dominant service performance, winning 6-3, 6-4. In the final singles match on Centre Court France’s Julien Benneteau beat fifth seed Kevin Anderson of South Africa 7-6(4), 6-2.
