HEATHER WATSON’S slow start to 2012 continues in singles.

After the thrill of the Fed Cup last week, in which she proved to be a vital cog in the Great Britain team in the doubles with Laura Robson, it was back to earth yesterday and another first round exit.

She crashed out of the PTT Pattaya Open, losing in straight sets to Vania King in Thailand.

Previously, she had gone out in the first round of the Australian Open and the first round of the Moorilla Hobart International, that after being ruled out of her scheduled opening event of the calendar year through a sprained ankle.