Wuhan Open: Johanna Konta loss to Petra Kvitova

Johanna Konta failed to win any of her four break points against Petra Kvitova in China

Britain's Johanna Konta was knocked out of the Wuhan Open in the quarter-finals, losing 6-3 6-4 to Czech 14th seed Petra Kvitova in China.

Kvitova, playing the day after her mammoth three-hour victory over Angelique Kerber, put in a dominant performance against a tired Konta.

The defeat keeps Konta 10th in the Race to Singapore, 273 points behind the final qualifying place.

Kvitova faces Romania's fourth seed Simona Halep in the semi-finals.

Kyle Edmund beats John Isner to reach fourth round

Britain's Kyle Edmund set up a US Open showdown with Novak Djokovic by beating John Isner to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time.

The Briton, 21, overcame the big-serving American and 20th seed 6-4 3-6 6-2 7-6 (7-5) in two hours and 43 minutes on Court Louis Armstrong.
The world number 84 faces 2015 champion and top seed Djokovic on Sunday.
Djokovic reached the last 16 when a second successive opponent pulled out through injury at Flushing Meadows.
Edmund joined Johanna Konta in reaching the fourth round while compatriots Andy Murray and Dan Evans will on Saturday seek to join them in the last 16.
Edmund was beaten by Isner in straight sets at the French Open this year but the Briton's confidence has risen since he led Britain to Davis Cup victory, without Murray, over Serbia in July.
Isner, 31, fired down 27 aces but could only convert one of his seven break points as Edmund's serve held up under the pressure.
"It's been a great tournament so far," said Edmund, who knocked out world number 15 Richard Gasquet in the first round.

"I've really enjoyed playing here. It may not have been the result you guys wanted but I want to say thank for the support."
Perhaps the key moment came when the American had just taken the second set and created three break points at the start of the third.
Edmund, however, saved all three and then broke twice himself, sealing the set when Isner failed to make a simple forehand volley.
Isner saved two match points in the fourth set tie-break, but a forehand winner confirmed Edmund's thrilling victory.
"Chances don't come very often against John. You have to capitalise when they do. You see how many aces he hits," he added.
"You just have to get a racquet on the ball and hustle really.
"I played the big points well. I knew it would come down to one or two points. I'm just very pleased."

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Kerber resumes bid to be number one

Hercog failed to win a game as she struggled physically

Australian Open champion Kerber made it through to round two without dropping a game, as she looks to land a second major title and end Serena Williams' 185-week run at the top of the rankings.

Kerber, 28, came within one match win of toppling the American eight days ago in Cincinnati, and Muguruza and Agnieszka Radwanska also have a chance to do so in New York.

"To be one day number one, I think this is a goal from everybody, especially also for me," said Kerber.

"But I will not put too much pressure on myself because I know that when I put the pressure on, I'm not playing my tennis then."

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US Open 2016: Johanna Konta & Kyle Edmund set for Monday start

Konta reached the fourth round at last year's US Open

US Open
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 29 August-11 September
Coverage: Live radio commentary on Radio 5 live sports extra plus live text coverage on the big matches on the BBC Sport website and app.

Johanna Konta and Kyle Edmund will carry British hopes on the opening day of the US Open on Monday.

Edmund, ranked 85th, opens play on court five against France's 13th seed Richard Gasquet at 16:00 BST.

Konta, seeded 13th, plays American Bethanie Mattek-Sands on the Grandstand court at around 00:00 on Tuesday.

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Angelique Kerber also play on day one, while Andy Murray is among six Britons scheduled for day two.

The Scot, seeded second, will play Czech Lukas Rosol in the second night match at around 02:00 on Wednesday.

Heather Watson, Naomi Broady, Laura Robson, Dan Evans and Aljaz Bedene complete the British singles contingent.

Konta, 25, reached the fourth round last year but will face unfamiliar surroundings on Monday as she is among the first players scheduled to appear on the newly-constructed Grandstand arena.

The Briton will also face a newly crowned Olympic mixed doubles champion, with home support, in Mattek-Sands.

"She's playing inspired tennis," Konta told BBC Radio 5 live.

"She's coming off the back of winning gold in Rio and it's no secret that American players do rise to the occasion in the US. They love playing at home."

Edmund, 21, makes his debut in the US Open main draw and will take on former semi-finalist Gasquet for the first time.

Konta can break top 10 this year - Rusedski

Former British number one Greg Rusedski believes world number 14 Konta can become the first GB woman since Jo Durie in 1984 to reach the WTA top 10.

"It's something she will do by the end of the year," he told Sportsweek.

Rusedski also believes that 2016 Australian Open semi-finalist Konta, who was ranked 146th in the world as recently as July 2015, has improved by working on her "mentality".

"She hired a sports psychologist who works with hedge funders," said Rusedski.

"He has put her into a process and a set of goals where she wants to achieve things and the process of doing things rather than focusing on results all the time, for Jo that is the right thing to do."

Speaking of Konta's US Open prospects, Rusedski added: "I expect her to get to the round of 16.

"If she gets a good draw, don't be surprised to see her back in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam again."

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