On-song Heather Watson motivated by Olympic goal

BySportsbeat

Updated 10/05/2016 at 09:04 GMT

British No.2 Heather Watson admitted the Olympics is a big motivator for her after she progressed to the second round of the Rome Masters on Monday.

Britain's Heather Watson returns the ball to Italy's Sara Errani during the WTA Tennis Open tournament at the Foro Italico, on May 9, 2016 in Rome

Image credit: AFP

The world No. 55 beat Sara Errani 6-4 3-6 6-0 in two hours and 16 minutes and will face the Czech Republic's Barbora Strycova in round two.

Any Brit inside the top 56 players in the singles rankings would be guaranteed qualification, subject to BOA ratification, which is very much on Watson's mind.

"It was totally on my mind as we started that third set today," she said.

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"It's just a big goal of mine and with it in the back of my mind it just motivates me and gives me that little bit extra.

"The Olympics is every four years, it's for your country. I can't even describe the atmosphere, it's unbelievable, and I just love being around the other athletes."

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