Heather Watson set up a Battle of Britain with Johanna Konta by beating Nicole Gibbs in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

Watson will face compatriot and world No. 11 Konta in the second round after seeing off the American 4-6 6-2 6-2 on Wednesday.

The clash on Friday will be the first time the two have met on the WTA Tour.

Konta will go into the match as a heavy favourite against Watson, now ranked almost 100 places lower than her compatriot after dropping to 108 this week.

Watson paid the price for her rankings points from last year's title in Monterrey dropping off, and defeat by Gibbs would have seen her fall further.