Watson beats Burrage as Brits return to the WTA Tour for the first time since September

Heather Watson defeated compatriot Jodie Burrage in Abu Dhabi, the first British women to play in a WTA-sanctioned event since the French Open in September.

It was a main draw WTA Tour debut for Burrage, who impressed in last summer's Progress Tour Championship as well as the Battle of The Brits events organised by Jamie Murray and the LTA.

But the world number 263 was frustrated at her missed opportunities in a 6-4 2-6 5-7 defeat to the British number 2.

Watson will now face Russian 17th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the last 32.