Heather Watson was blown away yesterday by Romania’s Sorana Cirstea in the first round of the US Open.

Nothing went right for the British number one, who won just 12 per cent of second-serve points in a 6-1 6-1 loss over 54 minutes.

Watson has had an excellent season, climbing from a low of 161 in the rankings at the start of February to 46 and posting her first two wins over top-20 players.

Cirstea, on the other hand, has slumped from 21 a year ago to 80 now and this looked a good first-round draw for Watson.

Watson’s statistics made miserable reading, with eight double faults, six winners and 23 unforced errors adding up to a very bad day.

Watson’s defeat leaves Andy Murray once again as the only British singles player left in the tournament.