Watson into last 32

Heather Watson advanced into the Australian Open third round with victory over Ksenia Pervak.

The 20-year-old from Guernsey, who hit back from a set and a break down to beat Alexandra Cadantu in round one, found herself 6-3 down in a second-set tie-break having lost the first.

But she responded emphatically, thanks largely to some wonderful defensive tennis, and then ran through the decider to clinch a 4-6 7-6 (9/7) 6-2 victory and a place in round three.

Despite being roared on by a vociferous crowd on court eight, Watson lost the first two games, only to respond and level up at 2-2.

It remained on serve until the breaker which appeared to be going the way of Pervak, who had three chances to claim the match at 6-3. But world number 50 Watson dug deep to claim it on her second set point.

After a second lengthy comfort break, Pervak returned but her will had been broken. Watson cruised into a 4-0 lead and then served it out reach the last 32, equalling her best run at a grand slam, achieved at Wimbledon last year.

She will next face in-form Pole Agnieszka Radwanska, who earlier recorded her 11th win on the trot in 2013 against Irina-Camelia Begu. The fourth seed has yet to drop a set this calendar year and warmed up for Melbourne by claiming the titles in Auckland and Sydney.