Plus: Women’s world No. 1 Ash Barty has pulled out of Indian Wells and the Miami Open as she continues her recovery after winning the Australian Open.

Heather Watson was eliminated from the Monterrey Open on Thursday after suffering a straight-set loss to Nuria Parrizas-Diaz in the Round of 16 in Mexico.

The Briton was beaten 6-4, 7-6(2) by the Spaniard after opening her campaign with a 6-3 2-6 7-6(4) win over Jule Niemeier.

Watson was also eliminated in the doubles quarter-final after she and Egyptian partner Mayar Sherif lost 6-4 2-6 6-10 to American duo Sabrina Santamaria and Catherine Harrison.

Elsewhere, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina beat Bulgarian qualifier Viktoriya Tomova 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-2 in two hours and 24 minutes after clinching the last six games after trailing 2-0 in the deciding third set. .

The 2020 Monterrey champion noted how the presence of a Ukrainian flag in the crowd buoyed her up as her home country continues to struggle against Russian invasion.

“It was an extremely difficult match today,” Svitolina said in his post-match interview. “I think Viktoriya played a really good game, and I had to really fight in the third set to bring my best game back and try to get back into the game.

“In the end, I managed to win six games in a row, so it’s a good effort for me. It was an extremely difficult first set, the second set didn’t work my way, then the third set I was 0-2. I wasn’t playing my best, but I fought, until the very end.

“And you know, the Ukrainian flag really helped me fight today. I really fought until the end, and I finally found my game.”

Maria Bouzkova beat Petra Martic 6-4 6-2, and Qiang Wang beat Watson’s doubles partner Sherif 6-0 6-7 (2-7) 6-3.

Barty leaves Indian Wells and Miami

Ash Barty won the Australian Open

World number 1 and recently crowned Australian Open champion Ash Barty has confirmed she has pulled out of the upcoming Indian Wells and Miami Open tournaments as she continues to recover of his victory in Melbourne.

Barty, the first Australian woman to win a singles title at the Australian Open in 44 years, hopes to be ready to play for her nation against Slovakia in the Billie Jean King Cup on April 15.

“Unfortunately my body didn’t recover as I hoped after the Australian Open and I wasn’t able to prepare adequately for Indian Wells and Miami,” she said.

“I don’t believe I am at the level necessary to win these events and so I have decided to withdraw from both tournaments. I love these events and I am sad not to be there competing, but I have to focus on my body. .

“My goal is to represent my country at the next Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup in April.

“After missing the BJK Cup last year, I can’t wait to wear green and gold again.”

Barty’s fellow Australian Open runner-up Danielle Collins has also withdrawn from Indiana Wells due to injury.