Johanna Konta’s rise continues with second victory over Andrea Petkovic

Johanna Konta has won 19 of her 20 matches since Wimbledon

Johanna Konta beats Andrea Petkovic in China (Getty Images)

Johanna Konta has carried on where she left off at the US Open by beating Germany’s Andrea Petkovic 6-4, 7-5 in the first round of the Wuhan Open in China. The 24-year-old Briton, who had to win two tricky matches in qualifying last week to reach the main draw, has now won 19 of the 20 matches she has played since Wimbledon.

Konta is up to a career-high position at No 63 in the world rankings following her run to the fourth round at Flushing Meadows. Petkovic was one of her victims in New York and the world No 17 again failed to find an answer to the Briton’s confident play.

“When you’re playing against players of that calibre it’s a given that it’s going to be a tough fight,” Konta said. “I just feel very fortunate that I got to play such a good match against her. It wasn’t easy out there. It was very tough conditions. It was very hot.”

Konta now faces Victoria Azarenka, who appeared to suffer with a leg problem while beating Lauren Davis, of the United States, 6-2, 7-6.

Asked about the prospect of facing Konta, Azarenka said: “I’ve never actually seen her play. I’ve just heard that she’s a good, up-and-coming player. It’s going to be a little bit of a surprise. I probably have to watch some matches.”

Heather Watson also won two matches in qualifying to reach the main draw in Wuhan. The British No 1 is due to face Jelena Jankovic in the first round today.

Agnieszka Radwanska claimed her first title for more than a year when she won the Pan-Pacific Open in Tokyo for the second time by beating Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic 6-2, 6-2. Radwanska is expected to return to the top 10 in today’s updated world rankings list.

Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu won the Korea Open when she beat Aliaksandra Sasnovich, a qualifier from from Belarus, 6-3, 6-1.

Milos Raonic won his first title of the year when he beat Portugal’s Joao Sousa 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the St Petersburg Open. Raonic needs a good run to qualify for the year-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat his fellow Frenchman, Gilles Simon, 7-6, 1-6, 6-2 in the final of the Metz International.