British number one Johanna Konta has comfortably beaten Annika Beck in the first round of the Linz Open in Austria.
Konta lost in qualifying for the indoor tournament, but was given a lucky-loser spot and made the most of it with victory today.
Beck, who is six places above Konta in 41st in the world rankings, struggled badly on serve in the first set as Konta broke her every time on her way to a 6-1 success.
Konta moved 5-1 ahead in the second before Beck hit back, but Konta would not miss her second chance to serve it out as she wrapped up victory 6-3 in just over an hour.
Konta, who has now won 50 matches this year and lost just three of her last 26, will face another similarly-ranked opponent, world number 42 Madison Brengle, in the second round.
Pascal Lemesre
