Italian Open: Heather Watson and Aljaz Bedene qualify for main draw

Heather Watson has reached the French Open second round in the past two seasons

Britons Heather Watson and Aljaz Bedene are through to the main draw of the Italian Open after victories in the second qualifying round.

Watson, 23, beat Croatia's Ana Konjuh 7-5 4-6 6-3, while Bedene, 26, defeated France's Kenny de Schepper 6-3 6-3. Both are ranked number two in Britain.

However, British number three Naomi Broady went down in three sets to the USA's Christina McHale, 4-6 6-3 1-6.

Laura Robson was knocked out in the first qualifying round on Saturday.

Earlier on Sunday, Dan Evans failed in his attempt to win a second Challenger title in a row, losing 6-4 6-4 to Russia's Konstantin Kravchuk in the final in Busan, South Korea.

The Italian Open is the final major ATP World Tour tournament on clay before the French Open, which begins in Paris on 22 May.

British number one Andy Murray, seeded second, is likely to be in action in Rome on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old Scot - who takes on Novak Djokovic in the Madrid Open final later on Sunday - has been granted a bye in the first round and will meet either Borna Coric or a qualifier in round two.

Listen live to Sunday's Madrid Open final on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra from 17:30 BST

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