Wimbledon 2015: Maria Sharapova makes light work of Briton Johanna Konta

Sharapova won 6-2 6-2

(Getty Images)

Johanna Konta's wait for a first-round victory at Wimbledon continues after the British hope was overwhelmed by fourth seed Maria Sharapova.

Russia's five-time grand slam winner dispatched Konta 6-2 6-2 to condemn Australia-born Konta to a fourth-successive defeat at SW19.

Konta lost to the eventual-champion Belinda Bencic at the Eastbourne quarter-finals but was unable to make that momentum count in south west London on Monday.

The 24-year-old was justified in targeting a first Wimbledon win at the fourth time of asking - until she drew 2004 champion Sharapova.

Watched on by Fed Cup captain Judy Murray, Konta was unable to channel the battling spirits employed by fellow Briton Liam Broady, who had earlier seen off Marinko Matosevic in a five-set thriller.

Heather Watson's meeting with France’s Caroline Garcia was suspended just after 9pm because of bad light with the match tied at one set apiece. Garcia won the first set 6-1 in just 27 minutes and broke immediately at the start of the second before Watson launched her fightback. The British No 1 won four games in a row and took the second set 6-3.