British number three Heather Watson will miss the season-opening tournament in Auckland next week after picking up an ankle injury. The 19-year-old, 2009 US Open junior champion, came through qualifying last year at the venue and made the quarter-finals. But she said on Facebook: "Unfortunately I will not be playing in Auckland, because I sprained my ankle badly. "It's very frustrating, but Auckland is one of my favourite tournaments of the year and I'm looking forward to playing it next year because I love the event. Hobart will now be my first tournament of the year." Watson, ranked 92 in the world, will thereafter play in the main Australian Open draw for the first time.