Heather Watson pushed out by Maria Sharapova in Pan Pacific Open

British hopeful Heather Watson has been knocked out of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, despite putting on an impressive display against Maria Sharapova.

The 20-year-old tested the number two seed in the second-round 7-6[7] 3-6 4-6 defeat, which lasted three hours and nine minutes.

Watson forced the opening set to a tie-break, which she managed to secure and put pressure on her Russian opponent, who responded well in the second set to draw level 6-3.

Sharapova maintained her dominance to see off the Brit 6-4 in the third to book a place in the next round of the contest.