Heather Watson loses in opening round in Korea Open

Image source, Empics

Image caption, Heather Watson is 59th in the world rankings four places above Johanna Konta

British number one Heather Watson lost to Russia's Elizaveta Kulichkova in the opening round of the Korea Open in Seoul.

Watson, 23, who last month lost in the US Open first round for the fifth year running, was defeated 6-4 3-6 6-3 after struggling with her serve.

She is 59th in the world rankings, now only four places above British number two Johanna Konta, 24.

Konta's rise from 97th came after she reached the US Open fifth round.