Heather Watson claims back-to-back wins in Poitiers

Heather Watson has claimed back-to-back wins for the first time since February to reach the quarter-finals of the ITF tournament in Poitiers.

Guernsey-born Watson, 21, defeated Czech Lucie Hradecka 6-1 4-6 6-4 in France, having beaten world number 69 Christina McHale in the first round.

The British number three meets American third seed Alison Riske or Canada's Stephanie Dubois in the last eight.

Watson is trying to recover form after being sidelined by glandular fever.

She has dropped down from the WTA Tour to the second-tier ITF circuit in a bid to end a difficult year on a high.

When Watson made the last eight at the US Indoor Championship in Memphis in February, it took her to a career-high ranking of 39.

But after struggling with illness and form, her ranking plummeted to 133.

Johanna Konta, who has overtaken Watson to become the British number two, lost 7-5 0-6 7-6 to Austria's Tamira Paszek in the first round.