Heather Watson reaches Monterrey Open quarters after easy win over Ekaterina Makarova

Great Britain's Heather Watson has brushed aside Ekaterina Makarova in straight sets to keep alive the defence of her Monterrey Open title.

The 24-year-old Brit and world number 125 needed just 83 minutes to dispose of her Russian opponent 6-4 6-1 and set up a quarter-final match with top seed Angelique Kerber.

In a tight opening set, the only break of serve came in the 10th game before Watson raced through the second against the world number 45.

The Guernsey-born player opened a 5-1 lead in the second set, thanks to two breaks of serve, before finally facing some resistance in what turned out to be the final game of the match.

In the 14-point seventh game, Watson needed six match points before crossing the finishing line to win their first ever career meeting and reach the last eight of the tournament.