Konta celebrates rankings leap

Johanna Konta celebrated entering the world’s top 20 in style as she blitzed American Victoria Duval 6-3 6-0 at the Aegon Open in Nottingham.

Konta moved up to 18th in the latest WTA rankings, becoming the first British woman to enter the top 20 since Jo Durie in 1983 following a superb 12 months.

And she looked every bit the part in sweltering conditions in Nottingham as she dropped just three games in a straight-sets win over world No 580 Duval.

She wrapped up victory in just 70 minutes to set up a second-round tie with China’s Saisai Zheng.

“She started off really strong and I had to dig really deep and chase every ball and keep fighting for every point,” Konta said.

“She’s a great player, her current ranking doesn’t reflect the quality of player she is.

“Even in the second set a lot of games went to deuce so I had to be there for every single point. I am happy to have the opportunity to play again later in the week.”

Zheng booked her secondround clash with Konta after an easy 6-4 6-2 win over British wildcard Freya Christie.

Christie, ranked 314th in the world, battled hard and had break points when Zheng was serving for the first set, but the world No 86 fended them off before coasting to the second.

There was some British success earlier in the day as Tara Moore booked her place in the main draw with a 6-2 6-2 win over Shuko Aoyama.

Moore’s win earned her a first round clash with Donna Vekic, though there is no place in the main draw for Britain’s Katie Boulder who was beaten in straight sets by Kai-Lin Zhang.

Heather Watson, Naomi Broady and Laura Robson are all in action today.

Johanna Konta: reached No 18 in the world rankings.