Great Britain's Heather Watson fell at the first hurdle of the Charleston Open in straight sets to the USA's Claire Liu on Monday.

The 29-year-old fell to a 4-6 2-6 loss to her counterpart in the first round after seeing off Elizabeth Halbauer and Ulrikke Eikeri in the qualifying stages.

The two players could barely be separated in the opening stages, with Watson failing to take two break points at 3-3 as the backhand bedevilled the Brit.

Liu found herself with three set points on the Watson serve at 5-4, and despite failing to take one with a return just wide of the line, the American won the first set as Watson hit long.

The Brit's serve would continue to let her down in the second set, with Liu quickly going 3-1 up despite Watson saving two break points with an ace and a sumptuous forehand winner down the line.

Watson broke straight back before Liu repeated the trick again, and the world number 105 would be broken for the final time in game eight as Liu convincingly advanced to round two.

Great Britain have no further representatives in the women's singles at this year's Charleston Open, and Liu is now preparing to meet either Zhang Shuai or compatriot Francesca Di Lorenzo in the second round.