Heather Watson advances at Italian Open

Heather Watson booked her place in the second round of the Italian Open by seeing off home favourite Roberta Vinci in straight sets this afternoon.

After the opening three games went with serve, Watson streaked away in the first set by winning four games in a row to go 5-1 in front.

Vinci broke to love to stop the rot, but Watson wouldn't squander her second opportunity to serve it out as she clinched the opener 6-3.

The second set was even more comfortable for the British number one as she raced into a 4-0 lead before sealing victory 6-1 in just over an hour.

Up next in the last 32 for the world number 41 will be either Mona Barthel or 10th seed Carla Suarez Navarro.