Watson could miss Australian Open

British number one Heather Watson could miss this month's Australian Open as she is struggling with an elbow injury.

The 20-year-old has been forced to withdraw from next week's Hobart International tournament because of the problem and is in danger of missing the first Grand Slam of the year, which starts in Melbourne on 14th January.

Watson was beaten in three sets by Kiki Bertens in the second round of the ASB Classic in Auckland and said after the loss that she had picked up the problem to her elbow.

She tweeted: "I injured my elbow yesterday in my singles match, unfortunately I have to withdraw from Hobart. Doing everything I can to get healthy."

Watson played doubles in Auckland after her singles defeat but has decided she is unable to compete in Hobart.

She was beaten in the first round of the Australian Open last year but went on to reach the third round at Wimbledon and the second round of the French Open.

Watson moved into the world's top 50 and became the first Briton to win a WTA singles title since Sara Gomer in 1988 when she beat Kai-Chen Chang in the final of the HP Open in Osaka three months ago.

Watson is 200/1 to win the Australian Open, while Maria Sharapova can be backed at 7/1, Sam Stosur at 20/1 and Serena Williams at 6/5.

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