Heather Watson loses out to Victoria Azarenka

Heather Watson has bowed out of the Rogers Cup at the third-round stage after losing 6-2 6-4 to Victoria Azarenka.

The British number one came through an epic encounter with Dominika Cibulkova in the last round, but she couldn't reproduce that performance against the two-time Australian Open winner.

Azarenka dominated the opening set, breaking the 22-year-old on three occasions to move closer to a place in the last eight.

Watson improved during the second set but the Belarusian was stronger on the big points and that proved decisive in earning a spot in the quarter-finals.

Despite her exit, Watson is expected to move into the world's top 50 next week.