Australian Open: Heather Watson beats Kristyna Pliskova to reach second round

Heather Watson beat Kristyna Pliskova at the same stage of the 2020 Australian Open

Britain’s Heather Watson made a winning start at the Australian Open despite being “worried” a leg spasm would rule her out of Tuesday’s first-round match.

The 28-year-old won 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-3) against Czech Kristyna Pliskova.

Watson was one of 72 players who underwent a ‘hard’ 14-day quarantine on arrival in Australia, which left them unable to train outdoors for two weeks.

“I didn’t feel as fit as usual, which is no surprise,” said Watson, who plays 21st seed Anett Kontaveit in round two.

“I’m taking care of my body carefully because four days ago my left leg went into spasm and I couldn’t finish practising.

“I was really worried about if I was going to be able to play my first round here.”

Watson, ranked 60 in the world, had beaten Pliskova in the opening round of last year’s Australian Open.

The Briton, who had lost her sole warm-up match, hit 37 winners and overturned a 3-1 deficit in the second set to force a tie-break, before converting her first match point.

She previously said there was “nothing fun or easy” about the 14-day quarantine.

Players were provided with workout equipment, with Watson sharing videos of herself jokingly doing a hotel room triathlon external-link during her isolation.

Watson has never gone beyond the third round at the Australian Open.

British number one Johanna Konta and Francesca Jones are also in action on the second day at Melbourne Park.