Heather Watson wins big at the Miami Open after knocking out former world No 3 Elina Svitolina

Heather Watson carved out her best win in more than two years on Thursday night when she took down the former world number three Elina Svitolina at the Miami Open.

The Channel Islander is into the third round after beating Svitolina 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 in what was her second marathon match in three days.

While Emma Raducanu was taken into a third set by Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic, Watson edged the sudden death tie-break 7-4 having looked like she had blown her chance.

The Channel Islander took down the former world number three Elina Svitolina (pictured)

‘I love this tournament. I’ve been coming here for so long, I feel like it’s home,’ Watson told Amazon Prime.

She added: ‘I’m really happy that I’m coming back into form this year. I was just thinking at the end that my fitness got me through that match.

‘I’m really glad I held my nerve and was able to get over the line.’ 

However, British No 1 Emma Raducanu (right) lost in three sets against Katerina Siniakova (left)

Watson, now down to 115 in the rankings, had served for the match at 5-4 in the decider against the current number 20, who at Indian Wells lost to another Brit, Harriet Dart.

After a victory that took two hours and 38 minutes she was left awaiting the winner of the match between another Ukrainian, Marta Kostyuk, and Belinda Bencic of Switzerland.

British No 1 Raducanu lost 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 to Siniakova and has now won just two of her seven matches this season.