Heather Watson has said that she is "very happy" to have progressed to the main draw of the Australian Open.

The British number three got the better of Irina Falconi of the USA 6-4 7-6(1) in the third qualifying round on Saturday to secure a first-round clash against Daniela Hantuchova.

"It would have been the end of the world if I didn't get through," ESPN quotes the 21-year-old as saying. "I'm very happy that I am through but this is where it starts. I've just got over that first hurdle and there's a long way to go yet."

"It was a very tricky match," Watson added. "She's not your usual WTA player. She slices a lot, she's got good hands, good touch, she's not the overpowering type.

"I was prepared for it but I was torn between, 'Do I go for it, or do I make her play?' I was finding it difficult to find the balance but I held my nerve at the end - at the very end. I got a bit nervous closing it out but it's last round of qualifying; there's a lot on that match."

The Australian Open gets underway on Monday.