Wimbledon 2017: Johanna Konta eases into second round after straight set victory

The British no 1 raced to a 6-2 6-2 win over Chinese Taipei's Hsieh Su-Wei

It was only Konta's second-ever win at Wimbledon (AP)

Anything Andy Murray can do, Johanna Konta can match. After Britain’s No 1 man had won his opening match in convincing fashion on Centre Court, the country’s No 1 woman emulated his achievement with an emphatic victory on Court One.

Like Murray, Konta’s preparations for this Wimbledon have been disrupted by a physical problem, but the world No 7 looked in good shape as she crushed Taiwan’s Su-Wei Hsieh 6-2, 6-2 to record only the second Wimbledon victory of her career.

Konta’s participation at the All England Club had been in doubt after she pulled out before her scheduled semi-final in last week’s Aegon International at Eastbourne after injuring her back in a heavy fall.

However, she pronounced herself fit after coming through a practice session on Sunday and appeared to have no problems as she avenged her surprising defeat to 31-year-old Hsieh in the recent French Open.

“I'm feeling well,” Konta said afterwards. “I said after I'd hit yesterday that that was kind of the first test to see how I was doing. I felt absolutely fine and it was no different today.”

Konta raced through, only dropping four games in total (Getty)

Konta now has a chance to avenge another recent defeat. Her second-round opponent on Wednesday will be Croatia’s Donna Vekic, who beat the Briton in the final at Nottingham last month. Vekic reached the second round here by beating Russia’s Natalia Vikhlyantseva 6-7, 6-4, 6-1.

The match against Hsieh started just before 6pm, which is the sort of scheduling to which Murray has had to grow accustomed over the years. The late-afternoon start is clearly good for broadcasters aiming to catch viewers as they return home after work.

It had rained earlier in the afternoon, but by the time Konta and Hsieh walked out on to Court One it was bathed in warm sunshine.

Konta faces a tough route if she is to make the final (Getty)

Konta was quickly into her stride. The Briton failed to convert either of two break points in the opening game but had three more in the third, Hsieh’s backhand error finally giving her the breakthrough.

Although Hsieh broke back immediately, Konta was quick to resume control. The Briton completed a third successive break of serve to go 3-2 up, broke again two games later and took the first set after just 32 minutes. She won it in some style, stretching to hit a superb forehand half-volley winner after Hsieh had tried to pass her down the line.

Konta was soon ahead in the second set, breaking serve to go 2-1 up after Hsieh was unable to handle her thumping return of serve. Konta broke again two games later and had her first match points when Hsieh served at 1-5, only for the world No 113 to save them both with some dogged defence.

However, Hsieh was only delaying the inevitable. In the next game Konta went 40-0 up with a service winner and then completed her victory with an ace after just 64 minutes.

Asked how she had reversed the result of their meeting at Roland Garros, Konta said: “I think I played a little bit better. I think I made it maybe a little tougher for her to get into the match. However, it doesn't take much for there to be a momentum swing or for her to gain some more footing on the court.

“I knew in the match that it was going to be tricky till the very end. She's quite a tricky player to play. She doesn't give you too much rhythm. I was really just trying to stay focused on what I was trying to do out there, and not necessarily get caught up in her web.”

Konta never looked out of control during the straightforward win (Getty)

A number of experienced observers have tipped Konta as a potential champion here, which the Briton said was “a massive compliment”.

She added: “That's the only way I can take that. I'm definitely entered in this event to perform the best that I can. I'm really working incredibly hard to be involved as long as I can.

“In terms of potential winners, technically anyone in the draw is eligible to be crowned here. I think it's been proven time and time again how the strength in women's tennis is getting better and better.”

Konta said that despite Serena Williams’ absence from this tournament the standards were still very high. “There have been Grand Slam champions alongside her over the last numerous years,” she said. “In that sense, I think it's important to also give credit to those girls who have also won those Slams.”