Watson wins Aussie spot

Monday 15th September 2008, 2:29PM BST.

HEATHER WATSON has qualified for the Australian Junior Open. Watson, 16 (pictured), has had a brilliant 2008 which has seen her leap in the under-16 world rankings from 328 at the start of the year to 66.

And there is a serious possibility that the Sarnian, who receives support from Sportingbet, could break into the top 50 by the end of the year.

The Australian Open in Melbourne will only be Watson’s third grand slam tournament. She qualified and competed in Junior Wimbledon in June when she reached the quarter-finals of the doubles with Tara Moore.

Earlier this month, she featured in the Junior US Open where she nearly got the better of current world number three Noppawan Lertcheewakarn in the second round. Watson was 4-1 up in the first set and was up in the second as well, but ultimately went down 6-4, 6-4.