Konta playing down the comparisons withWade

JOHANNA Konta has shrugged off comparisons with Virginia Wade in the wake of her victory at the Miami Open on Saturday.

The British number one beat former world number one Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 6-3 to move to a careerhigh seventh in the world rankings.

And in becoming the first British woman to win a WTA premier mandatory event her success inevitably drew comparison with Wade, who won the Wimbledon title in 1977.

Konta told BBC Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek programme: “It does sound quite monumental but winning Wimbledon is a dream and hopefully one day I will get an opportunity to play for such a title.

“But right now I’m happy with the work I was able to put in. It’s a nice bit of history for back home and another great opportunity to promote tennis outside the grass-court months.”

Konta’s consistency has captured the eye this season as she has emerged the strongest contender to claim a women’s grand slam title for Britain since former world number five Jo Durie in the early 1980s.

But she not only has to improve a dismal record at Wimbledon - where she has won one match in five attempts - but also combat what she believes is the increasing strength in depth in the women’s game.

Konta added: “I think there’s a very strong field in general, not just the top 10 or the top five. That is a great testament to our sport and it has shown in the quality of matches from the first round.

“I think I’m learning to trust more in my mental and physical ability to keep coming back day after day. It’s that resilience and fitness that I’m able to keep bringing to the court.”

In the men’s event, Roger Federer overcame long-term rival Rafael Nadal to continue his remarkable start to the season.

The 35-year-old built on January’s Australian Open win and this month’s Indian Wells success with a 6-3 6-4 win over the Spaniard.