Miami Open: Johanna Konta beats Monica Niculescu to reach the quarter finals

Earlier in the day Heather Watson was knocked out by Simona Halep

Johanna Konta's victory over Romania’s Monica Niculescu, the 32nd seed, will propel her closer to the top 20 (Getty)

British number one Johanna Konta made light work of Monica Niculescu to reach the Miami Open quarter finals.

Earlier in the day Heather Watson was knocked out by Simona Halep but there were no suggestions Konta would follow her fellow Briton as she reached the last eight in Florida 6-2 6-2 on Monday.

Konta raced into a 4-0 lead in the first set against the 32nd seed and took the first set 6-2 with few concerns.

Konta, the 24th seed who beat Russian qualifier Elena Vesnina on Sunday, immediately broke Niculescu in the first game of the second set before surviving two break points on her own serve to move 2-0 clear.

The 24-year-old's dominance continued and she eased to a 5-0 lead by breaking Niculescu for a fifth time after making her third break point count.

Niculescu did rescue some pride by breaking Konta and holding to make it 5-2 before Konta finally finished her off.

Press Association