Kvitova overwhelms Konta in 3rd round

Britain’s Johanna Konta was overwhelmed by Czech ninth seed Petra Kvitova in the third round of the Miami Open. Konta, seeded 17th, lost 6-1 6-2 in just 58 minutes to two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova. 

Kvitova did not face a break point against British number one Konta, who won the Miami title in 2017. She will face fifth seed Elina Svitolina for a place in the quarter-finals after the Ukrainian beat Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6 (7-1) 6-4. Victoria Azarenka beat Angelique Kerber 7-5 6-2 to set up a fourth-round meeting with world number one and former doubles partner Ashleigh Barty.

Defending champion Barty, who will retain the top ranking if she reaches the final, beat Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 6-2. Third seed Simona Halep withdrew from her match against Anastasija Sevastova with a shoulder injury.