Britain's Heather Watson loses to Dutch qualifier Richel Hogenkamp at US Open

Heather Watson has crashed out of the US Open in New York City after losing 2-6 5-7 to Dutch qualifier Richel Hogenkamp. The 24-year-old British number two was bothered by illness during the match at Flushing Meadows and fell well short of her best form as she exited the tournament in the first round.

Watson lost an error-strewn first set by six games to two and then received medical treatment during the break. She returned to court and produced some slightly better tennis but failed to match her little-known Dutch opponent.

Hogenkamp — the world number 165 — won an epic 11th game in the second set to break her British rival before holding her serve to seal victory. For Watson, the loss is her sixth defeat in the first round of the US Open.

It means there are now seven of her countrymen and women left in the main draw, including Andy Murray and Johanna Konta.