Johanna Konta beats Heather Watson to reach Nottingham Open quarter-finals

Johanna Konta has progressed into the Nottingham Open quarter-finals with a hard-fought win over Heather Watson.

The British representatives played their part in a competitive match, but it was British number one Konta who prevailed by a 6-4 7-6 scoreline.

Both players performed solidly behind their serve in the opening set but Watson failed to take either of her two break-point opportunities, the one break for Konta proving enough to seal the opener.

Watson established the early advantage in the second but Konta battled back to force a tie-break, which she won by a 7-5 scoreline.

Konta joins Katie Boulter in the last eight after the British number four recorded an excellent victory over former US Open champion Samantha Stosur.