Konta beats Diyas in straight sets

Great Britain’s Johanna Konta scored an upset in the first round at the Aegon International at Eastbourne yesterday, defeating Zarina Diyas in straight sets.

Konta, the British No 2, beat her Kazakh opponent 6-3 6-2 to make good on her wildcard and overturn a ranking difference in 105 places against the world No 34.

Konta’s fellow Briton Naomi Broady did not join her in the second round but did take American Sloane Stephens three sets in a 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7/4) defeat.

Meanwhile Angelique Kerber celebrated her third WTA title of the year, edging Karolina Pliskova in three sets at Birmingham’s Aegon Classic.

The German, seeded fourth, followed up victories in Charleston and Stuttgart with a 6-7 (5/7) 6-3 7-6 (7/4) win for her sixth career success.

The pair were on court for two hours and 16 minutes as they ground out a hard-fought contest.