Great Britain's Heather Watson booked her place in the second round of the Miami Open thanks to a hard-fought three-set win over qualifier Evgeniya Rodina this afternoon.

Watson got off to a slow start, failing to win any of the opening four games before she won three in a row to cut the gap to one, but then failed to overhaul Rodina's double-break as the Russian claimed the opener 6-3.

The second set was much easier for Watson as she broke in the first game before saving five break-back points in the second to consolidate the advantage.

She went on to break twice more to win the set 6-1 and level the match.

Watson was 5-2 in front and within a game of clinching victory in the decider before Rodina fought back to restore parity in the set.

It looked as if a tie-break would be required to determine the winner, but Watson sneaked through by breaking in the 12th game of the set.

Up next for the world number 41 in the second round is 13th seed Angelique Kerber.