Summary

  • Johanna Konta beats Heather Watson 6-4 6-4 at Indian Wells

  • Was the first meeting on WTA Tour between Britain's top two female players

  • British number one through to third round at Indian Wells

  • Konta (11) ranked 97 places above Watson (108) in world rankings

  1. Goodbye!published at 20:48 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    So Johanna Konta has won the battle of the Brits and reached the third round at Indian Wells.

    Konta, who had a first-round bye, goes on to face Caroline Garcia or Evgeniya Rodina in her next match.

    That's all from us - thanks for joining us.

  2. 'A ragged finish'published at 20:47

    Watson 4-6 4-6 Konta

    Russell Fuller
    BBC tennis correspondent in California

    The finish was a little ragged having had such a commanding second set advantage, but that was still a solid return from injury by Konta. 

    She has only played Fed Cup since the Australian Open because of a foot injury, and must now wait to see whether Caroline Garcia or Evgeniya Rodina will be her third round opponent on Sunday.

  3. game, set and match

    Game, set and matchpublished at 20:45 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    Watson 4-6 4-6 Konta

    Oh! A sterling rally, both players pushing from side to side, but Watson's reply hits the net!

    She throws her racquet in frustration. Konta is through to the next round but boy, that wasn't easy.

    Johanna KontaImage source, Getty Images
  4. Postpublished at 20:43 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    *Watson 4-6 4-5 Konta

    Watson makes a stellar return but then goes overhead - and misjudges it! Match point for Konta.

  5. Postpublished at 20:43 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    *Watson 4-6 4-5 Konta

    This is a real wobble from Konta. Error after error, first her forehand and then her backhand flying out as she searches for that winning zip of pace.

    She's under real pressure but Watson can't make a forehand return, making it 15-30. Konta then forces Watson wide, putting some extra push into her forehand, and Watson skews her reply into the net. 30-30.

  6. Postpublished at 20:41 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    Watson 4-6 4-5 Konta*

    So. Konta's serving for the match again. Can she make this one count?

    Johanna Konta of Great BritainImage source, EPA
  7. Postpublished at 20:39 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    Watson 4-6 4-5 Konta*

    Konta has, unsurprisingly, requested to see her coach. She's won just two points since going 5-1 up. 

  8. Postpublished at 20:39 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    Watson 4-6 4-5 Konta*

    Clever from Watson. She draws Konta into a rally and eventually forces the error, knowing that Konta won't be able to resist the big smash across the court.

    A body serve from Watson and Konta's reply hits the net! What a turnaround this it. Watson has marched her way to 40-0 after a series of unforced errors from Konta.

    An ace - and Watson holds her serve! Two love service games in a row.

  9. Watson breaks as Konta double faults twicepublished at 20:37 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    *Watson 4-6 3-5 Konta

    Konta then, serving for a place in the second round. She fluffs first up with a double fault before she miscues her backhand. 

    Ooft, that wasn't in the script. Two double-faults in one game from Konta and Watson breaks! 

    Heather WatsonImage source, Getty Images
  10. Postpublished at 20:32 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    Watson 4-6 2-5 Konta*

    There is annoyance in every shot of Watson's now, but she's putting it to good use. That's a love game - her second of the set - and she secured it with a fine ace down the line.

    She stomps back to her seat before staring at the ground for a long time, collecting her thoughts.

  11. Postpublished at 20:29 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    *Watson 4-6 1-5 Konta

    It's taken us 16 games but we have our first Konta ace, which is a sign that she's feeling more in rhythm.

    Double faults are catching as Konta misses her serve, but then Watson's backhand isn't storng enough for Konta's serve. 

    A hold for Konta.

    Johanna KontaImage source, EPA
  12. Postpublished at 20:26 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    Watson 4-6 1-4 Konta*

    Watson made such a strong start to this match but that game was littered with errors. She's allowed Konta, who was off-colour after coming back from injury, too many opportunities.

  13. 'Konta has found her rhythm'published at 20:24 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    Russell Fuller
    BBC tennis correspondent in California

    It often takes a while to adapt to conditions at a tournament - especially here in the desert, where the ball flies through the thin air - and this is Konta's first match of the week.

    But she looks to have settled well now against her Fed Cup team-mate, who is playing much better than her ranking of 108 might suggest.

  14. Postpublished at 20:24 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    Watson 4-6 1-4 Konta*

    Konta goes deep from the baseline with her backhand but there isn't enough fizz on that one, and it sails into the net for 30-0.

    Oh, this is horrible from Watson. Three double-faults in a row - taking her total to nine in the match - and she's gifted Konta a break point.

    Konta doesn't miss a beat and Watson throws her racquet onto the court in frustration. Another really good opportunity goes begging.

  15. Postpublished at 20:21 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    *Watson 4-6 1-3 Konta

    A few errors from both players takes it to 30-30, Konta trying to go big while Watson attempts to push her back.

    That's a good chance for Watson to take a break point though, Konta floundering on the right of the court - and Watson overhits it! 

    Down comes the serve, and Konta holds. Watson looks irritated - she let a good chance slip there.

    * denotes next server

    Johanna KontaImage source, Rex Features
  16. 'Every match is crucial for Watson'published at 20:17 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    Russell Fuller
    BBC tennis correspondent in California

    When I asked Heather Watson whether there would be a little bit more on the line for a match against a fellow Brit, she said - with a hint of self-deprecation - that given her ranking right now, every match is crucial.

    She also admitted she lost every practice set she played at the start of the week, but felt some form returning during an extra practice session on the eve of her first round match.

    Heather Watson of Great BritainImage source, Getty Images
  17. Postpublished at 20:16 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    Watson 4-6 1-2 Konta*

    Much better from Watson. She doesn't entirely nail that first serve but she's got a little more balance about it and she blasts through her service game.

    She holds to love, and then immediately waves her coach over for a chat.

  18. Postpublished at 20:15 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    *Watson 4-6 0-2 Konta

    That's two love service games in a row for Konta. She's now won eight points in a row. Watson will need to up her serve to try and interrupt Konta's rhythm.

  19. Konta holds to lovepublished at 20:14 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    *Watson 4-6 0-2 Konta

    Watson, clearly frustrated as she forces another forehand into the net, pauses to adjust her cap and mumble to herself. 

    Konta is in control of this game all the way though, and she holds to love. 

  20. Konta breaks earlypublished at 20:10 Greenwich Mean Time 10 March 2017

    Watson 4-6 0-1 Konta*

    High energy stuff as Konta opts for the lob and Watson plays her at her own game. She opts for the drop shot and Konta, charging forward, can't meet it. Another error from Watson, though, and it goes to deuce for the third time.

    Now can Konta make it count? A punch, cross court, and Watson doesn't even move as it bounces perfectly in line. Konta finally secures the third break point as Watson double-faults again.

    Heather WatsonImage source, Getty Images