Johanna Konta comfortably made her way into the Internazionali BNL d’Italia third round after passing Roberta Vinci in impressive style. The 6-0, 6-4 win saw the Englishwoman dictate on serve and return throughout their second round encounter on the prestigious Center Court.

Konta Cruises Through The First Set In Dominant, Relentless Fashion

The contrasting game styles of the two competitors were set to clash for the first time as they prepared to battle on the red clay of the Italian capital. Konta was the first to strike after a Vinci approach forehand snuck wide for the first break. The British number one consolidated with a hold to 30, before racing to a double break lead. The backhands off the Konta racquet penetrated the court, causing the Italian veteran to lack neither answers nor a game on the scoreboard.

Vinci failed to build off of her home crowd’s energy, and she suddenly fell back four games to love. Konta applied pressure by approaching the net to then display divine touch, and she eventually put herself within a game of the first set. The firepower from the Britain-native arrived her to a 40-love lead, and three opportunities to conclude the opening set action. Konta sealed a one-sided first set, six games to love on the first time of asking thanks to an Italian forehand that found the net. The 22 minutes of play had not seen Konta let up en route to an impressive advantage.

Johanna Konta in action in the gorgeous Italian capital. Photo: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
Johanna Konta in action in the gorgeous Italian capital. Photo: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

Englishwoman Grabs Competitive Set To Advance

The world number 23 clinched her seventh consecutive game with a break to 30 to commence second set play. But the seventh seed clawed back to earn her first game of the match. The pair then exchanged breaks yet again to bring the set to two games apiece. Vinci inched ahead for her first lead of the match, but fearless, feisty tennis from the Brit soon saw her hold to level proceedings. Konta maintained her exquisite performance to move ahead, up a set and a crucial break. But the Italian crowd remained heavily on Vinci’s side to make for enticing points and celebrations.

The eighth game of the set saw Vinci hold five break points, but the home hope failed to convert as Konta raced to a set and 5-3 lead. A convincing hold to 15 from last year’s US Open finalist forced Konta to serve for a spot in the third round. On the Brit’s first match point, a Vinci backhand was dumped into the net, whilst Konta fiercely celebrated her dominant victory. The second round win concluded in a taxing hour and 13 minutes, which displayed brilliant power and shot execution off the Konta racquet.

Roberta Vinci in action in the gorgeous Italian capital. Photo: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
Roberta Vinci in action in the gorgeous Italian capital. Photo: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

World Number 23 Set To Play In-form Lefty

Konta will be put to the test by a recently impressive performer in Misaki Doi. The Englishwoman leads the top-ranked Japanese player three wins to love, but their matchup on Thursday will be their first meeting on clay. The power and angles from the Brit and the consistency from Doi will make for a must-watch unseeded third round clash.

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Brooks Giardina
Brooks Giardina is a 15-year-old who has a major tennis addiction. When he is not on the tennis court, he is paying his attention to the ATP and WTA tours as an active fan and writer.