Johanna Konta, the bookmakers’ new favourite to win the Wimbledon women’s title, cruised into the fourth round on Friday with a straight sets win over Maria Sakkari. The sixth seed triumphed 6-4, 6-1 over the Greek world No 101 on Court One.
However, the British No 1 shrugged off her title favourite tag.
“Everyone’s a potential winner here. I’m here to hopefully be involved until the very end, but one match at a time,” she said.
“I think it was quite tricky conditions out there today.
“It was a bit more gusty than maybe it appeared and it wasn’t easy for both of us. I’m very happy to have tried to take care of the simple things, compete hard and make sure I left no stone unturned.”
Konta next plays French 21st seed Caroline Garcia on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals. Garcia defeated American Madison Brengle in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3 in 77 minutes.
“The last time I played her I lost to her in a very close battle in Indian Wells,” said Konta.
“She’s obviously playing with a lot of confidence so I’m really looking forward to that, to play someone who’s in good form who will really challenge me.”
Jelena Ostapenko’s momentous ride
Meanwhile, French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko made the last-16 for the first time with a 7-5, 7-5 win against Camila Giorgi.
The Latvian, who won her 10th match on the trot in a Major, finished the 80-minute contest with 24 winners and 14 unforced errors, to the Italian’s 15 winners and 12 unforced errors. She converted five of the eight break points she had on Giorgi’s serve and faced five break points of her own, of which she saved two.
Ostapenko finished the match with 72 points to Giorgi’s 61 and will next face Elina Svitolina, the Ukrainian fourth seed who defeated Carina Witthoeft 6-1, 7-5.
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