Johanna Konta has recorded a straight-sets victory over Magdalena Rybarikova in the first round of the Italian Open.
The British number one is under pressure to put a run of wins together after an inconsistent start to the season, but the 26-year-old was able to find a way to overcome Rybarikova for the second time in seven days.
Last week, Konta defeated the Slovakian in her opening match in Madrid and although the Wimbledon semi-finalist was able to come through by a 6-4 6-3 scoreline, Rybarikova made her opponent battle hard to progress.
The 17th seed saved as many as nine break points during the first set but Konta still struck twice to establish a lead, and both players struggled to hold serve during a back-and-forth second.
However, it was Konta who eventually prevailed in one hour and 50 minutes after breaking three more times, and either Hsieh Su-Wei or Aryna Sabalenka will stand in her way in the last 32.
Darren Plant
