Heather Watson has cast a positive light on her chances of making progress at Wimbledon despite a first hurdle exit at the Aegon International Eastbourne.

The British No.2 came within two points of defeating eventual Wimbledon champion Serena Williams in the third round in 2015 but is heading back to SW19 short of match practice.

Having clinched just one win in four singles matches on the grass in 2016, Watson is adamant that she can hit the ground running at the AELTC next week.

“Of course I would have liked more, but I don't think it's really affected me. When I started in Birmingham and I played my first match (beating Camila Giorgi), I felt great,” insisted the world No.50. “I felt like I was used to the grass. But then I had to practise a few times indoors, had to play a match indoors, a doubles match.

“So it wasn't ideal, but that's the way it was. I still feel fine on the grass.”

On a swirling Centre Court the 23-year-old lost four games in a row from 2-2 as Elena Vesnina dictated the play to snatch the opener.

A total of six break chances were crushed by the Russian as Watson eagerly sought a way back into the contest but succumbed to a 6-2, 6-3 loss.

“I definitely didn't play well today. I felt really out of timing and slow to the ball. But I'm not taking anything away from Elena. She played very well. And when I had my chances to come back and get into the match, she hit an ace or always made her first serve and played well,” Watson reflected.

“I was glad we played today, at least (considering the torrential rain). But it happens. That's part of it. But tennis-wise, today I didn't have a good day. But all in all, I have been feeling the ball really well. I feel really good heading into Wimbledon.”

Sadly for the home fans Britain’s No.4 Tara Moore couldn’t take advantage of her wild card and was sent out 7-5, 6-4 by 2014 Wimbledon quarter-finalist Ekaterina Makarova but sees her recent run of results as a “springboard” for the future.

Having reached a maiden WTA quarter-final in Nottingham, Moore believes she is reaping the rewards of working alongside life coach Tony Lekic.

An ITF final at Eastbourne was also achieved earlier in the grass court season and Moore feels her recent results can be the catalyst for a surge up the rankings.

I think this is definitely a very good springboard for the rest of my season. I do think that I'm going to be able to sustain this level,” said the Wimbledon wild card. “I'm definitely playing some good tennis and I am definitely confident, and I definitely feel this is where I'm at and this is my level and I'm definitely going to keep improving.”

Coping with the blustery conditions Moore was clattering groundstrokes with a punch to then break for 5-3 courtesy of a rasping backhand winner down the line.

The world No.37 snapped into gear and illustrated her ranking superiority to save a total of five set points to reel off 10 points in a row for 7-5.

A truly unlucky game including three net cords in the Russian’s favour chalked up the pivotal break for 2-4 as Makarova booked a second round encounter with Roberta Vinci 7-5, 6-4, but Moore takes solace from matching a top 40 player’s level.

“I definitely put out a good fight out there today. She's not 37 in the world for nothing. I do think that there are little things I can do to improve to maybe get up to 37 in the world, but I think she played some good tennis and she made me play.

“I think it's definitely positive, and it's definitely something I can take forward into Wimbledon.”