Wimbledon 2019: Heather Watson gets British hopefuls up and running at the Championships

The British No 2 overcame a tricky start to beat Caty McNally 7-6 (3) 6-2

Heather Watson led the British charge on the opening day of Wimbledon after advancing into the second round with a straight-sets win over Caty McNally.

The British No 2 overcame a tricky start to win 7-6 (3) 6-2 against the 17-year-old qualifier on Court 12 to claim her first grand-slam victory since the French Open in 2018.

Watson, whose best run at SW19 is to the third round on three occasions, is one of just two Brits in action on Monday, along with Kyle Edmund who finishes proceedings on Centre Court.

It looked like the pressure of getting things under way might get to her as she served three double faults in her opening game.

McNally was just as patchy on her own delivery as both players traded breaks, but the American had two opportunities to serve for the opening set.

However, on both occasions Watson raised her game, eventually taking it to a tie-break, which she won 7/3.

She took the momentum of that into the second set and immediately broke, as McNally’s young temperament came into question.

A second break allowed her to take a 5-1 lead and the finishing line was in sight.

The 27-year-old made slightly hard work of serving it out, but eventually got the job done on her fourth match point to book her second-round spot where Anett Kontaveit, seeded 20th, or Shelby Rogers will be her opponent.

PA