British No.2 Heather Watson got back to winning ways with a 6-4, 7-6(0) first round win over Melinda Czink at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham on Tuesday. It was only Watson’s second competitive outing since recovering from a bout of glandular fever and her first win since February.

“It felt good to be out there. All the time I was ill I kept telling myself that I had to be back for the grass court season,” said Watson, who only returned from a four-month absence from WTA Tour at Roland Garros two weeks ago.  “There’s nothing like the feeling of winning. After playing - and playing well - today it just motivates me more for the future.”

Watson’s win set up a second round meeting on Wednesday with Russian qualifier Alla Kudryavtseva and she will start what promises to be a busy day on the Ann Jones Centre Court. Laura Robson begins her singles campaign with a potentially awkward second round match against former Aegon Classic finalist Daniela Hantuchova. Robson, seeded seventh, had a bye in the first round.

Watson and Robson were joined in the second round by their Aegon GB Fed Cup team-mate Johanna Konta, who beat Japanese qualifier Kurumi Nara 6-2, 6-4 to set up Wednesday’s meeting with accomplished Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic.

Top seeded Belgian Kirsten Flipkens will be making her first appearance at this year’s Aegon Classic on Wednesday when she takes on Croatian qualifier Ajla Tomljanovic.