Johanna Konta and Kyle Edmund through to Italian Open round of 16

Kyle Edmund progressed to the final 16 in the men’s draw in confident fashion, beating the talented French player Lucas Pouille 6-2, 7-6 (3)

Kyle Edmund saw off the challenge of Lucas Pouille (Getty Images)

Johanna Konta demonstrated her improving form in a convincing win over Hsieh Su-wei in the second round of the Italian Open in Rome. The British No 1 looked confident and assertive in a 6-0, 6-4 victory over the unconventional Hsieh, who shocked Konta in the first round of the French Open last summer.

On that occasion Konta breezed through the first set before losing her way. After losing just six points in the first six games here, the 26-year-old found herself in a more competitive second set and Hsieh recovered from 5-2 to 5-4 before Konta clinched victory on her fifth match point.

Konta will face reigning French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in the round of 16.

Her compatriot Kyle Edmund progressed to the final 16 in the men’s draw in confident fashion, beating the talented French player Lucas Pouille 6-2, 7-6 (3). He is likely to face world No3 Alexander Zverev for a place in the quarter-finals.

PA