British number one Heather Watson has crashed out of the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open in the first round in a straight-sets loss to number 11 seed Sara Errani.

The first set proved to be an even contest as Watson matched the Italian stroke for stroke until the 27-year-old powered ahead to take the set 7-5.

Watson responded in the second set as she raced out into a 4-0 lead but Errani soon rallied and won the next six games, breaking the 22-year-old three times, to claim the set 6-4 to secure her place in the second round of the competition.

Errani faces Alison Riske in the next round of the tournament.