The 6-3, 7-5 result that takes her through to the second round was her best victory by ranking since 2017.
Heather Watson roars into Round Two in Abu Dhabi ✌ pic.twitter.com/v3AgNcgP8d
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) February 6, 2024
Kudermetova is 16th in the world and seeded ninth in the tournament.
“I know she’s such a great player so I knew I had to play really well today,” said Watson.
“I just focused on what was in my control, my serve and just trying to be as aggressive as I can. I played really well and had a lot of fun out here today.”
The 31-year-old broke Kudermeteova twice in the opening set, then again in the 11th game of the second.
Watson had already beaten the former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the first round of qualifying.
She joins Emma Raducanu in the second round and will play Spaniard Cristina Bucsa in a game scheduled for lunchtime today. If she wins that she will face Danille Collins or top seed Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals.
Pictured top: Heather Watson playing in the Billy Jean King Cup in Glasgow.