• WTA

Watson takes heart from Miami run

Watson reached the third round at the Sony Ericsson Open © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Draper defends 'easy target' LTA
  
• News: Keothavong bounces back as Wozniacki survives wobble
  
• What the Deuce: Serena looks to make herself at home in Paris
  
• News: Injured Baltacha out of Barcelona
  

Heather Watson believes her performance at the Sony Ericsson Open has restored her confidence after a difficult start to her 2012 campaign as her thoughts turn to helping Great Britain return to the Fed Cup elite.

The 19-year-old has been named alongside Elena Baltacha, Anne Keothavong and Laura Robson in Judy Murray's GB squad to face Sweden on April 21-22 with a place in the second tier of the World Group on the line.

Watson had suffered a string of first round exits at the start of her third year on the WTA Tour before arriving in Miami, where she was given a main draw wildcard. The Guernsey native, who is based at the Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida, reached the third round before losing to world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, who also knocked her out at the Australian Open.

"In Miami it was a very good performance from me - I'm so pleased, actually," said Watson, the world No. 116. "My first match [against Sorana Cirstea] I was 5-0 down in the third set and came back from match points down and ended up winning it. I thought, 'heart', you know. It's never over.

"It was a shame to fall out to Azarenka - that's the second time I've played her this year - but it was a great week for me and very important because I haven't been having the best year so far.

"I've had some tough draws and I lost my confidence a bit but I've found myself again and I'm finding my game. I'm going to use that week to build on."

Watson, the British No. 3, helped Britain reach the World Group playoffs in February and is thrilled to be in with a chance to put Britain back among the world's top tennis nations.

"I am really excited to get back together with Judy Murray and the rest of the team to represent our country in the Fed Cup. We had so much fun in Israel and we all worked really well together there. I hope we can have even more success in Sweden."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.