Proud dad Ian Watson catches up on the national newspaper stories after his daughter’s remarkable US Open success. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0842496)

THE top man in British tennis has backed Heather Watson to break into the world’s top 100, following her success at the US Open.

The 17-year-old Guernsey tennis star has been all over the national media after she defeated Yana Buchina 6-4, 6-1 in the girls’ singles final at Flushing Meadows on Sunday.

A picture of Watson holding the trophy while a receiving a kiss on the cheek from her proud mother Michelle appeared on page five of yesterday’s Guardian, under the headline ‘A star is born’.

Meanwhile, Lawn Tennis Association chief executive Roger Draper, in an interview with Sky Sports News, said that Watson and Laura Robson, who won Junior Wimbledon last year and made the US Open semi-finals, can ‘go a lot higher’.

Watson has already a senior tournament victory to her name – the $10k Aegon Pro-Series event in Frinton.

‘Both Laura and Heather have won their first senior events at a lower level which is a good step,’ said Draper. ‘Heather’s 764th on the world rankings, Laura’s a bit higher. There’s no reason they can’t go on to reach the top 100 at least.’

With both girls making the early steps in their careers, Draper believes it is important they make an impression in the senior game.

‘They know what they’ve got to do,’ he said. ‘Things happen a little bit quicker on the girls’ side to the boys’ side. The boys tend to [need] a longer transition to be a top-100 player.’

Draper pledged that the LTA would completely back Watson and the best junior talent.