Solid start to Wimbledon 2018 for Johanna Konta, Australian trio

Shahida Jacobs

Johanna Konta eased into the second round of Wimbledon while the Australian trio of Ashleigh Barty, Daria Gavrilova and Sam Stosur also advanced.

British No 1 Konta has struggled with her form in the build-up to this year’s grass-court Grand Slam, but she looked solid against Natalia Vikhlyantseva.

The 22nd seed, who reached the semi-finals at SW19 last year, picked up a 7-5, 7-6 (9-7) win over the Russian.

The 17th ranked Barty had too much for Stefanie Voegele as she beat the Swiss player 7-5, 6-3.

Meanwhile, 22nd seed Gavrilova beat Caroline Dolehide from the United States 6-2, 6-3.

And it will be an all-Australian affair in the second round as Gavrilova will face former US Open winner Stosur, who beat Shuai Peng from China 6-4, 7-5.

Former Australian Open finalist Dominika Cilbukova, who lost her seeding after organisers opted to make Serena Williams the 25th seed, overcame Alize Cornet from France 7-6 (7-3), 6-1.

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