Pressure on top seeded Watson

Tuesday 12th May 2009, 2:29PM BST.

HEATHER WATSON (pictured) is the top seed for an ITF Grade One tournament for the first time.

All eyes will be on the 15-year-old Sarnian tennis star today as she steps on to the clay courts in the 31st International Junior ITF Tournament ‘Citta Di Santa Croce’ in Pisa, Italy.

‘There’s a lot of pressure on her,’ said her father Ian.

‘Being seeded number one brings its own pressures. If you get through qualifiers you’ve got nothing to lose, but if you’re seeded number one, people are expecting big things from you.’

As the top name on the draw sheet, Watson received a bye in the first round.

The world number 14 will today face the winner of Stefania Fadabini of Italy and Belgian Michaela Boev’s opening round match.

Both are ranked outside the top 200.