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Hong Kong Open: Johanna Konta wins battle of Britain

Simona Halep was the biggest casualty at the Hong Kong Open on Tuesday.

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Johanna Konta put the disappointment of defeat in the China Open final behind her to kick off her Hong Kong Open campaign with a 6-2 6-2 win against compatriot Naomi Broady.

Two breaks in each set proved enough for Konta - a new addition to world's top 10 - to brush aside Broady, facing a single break point as she dominated on her own serve.

Another British player, Heather Watson, joins Konta in the second round following her 7-5 7-6 (11-9) win against Marina Erakovic and will now take on fifth seed Caroline Wozniacki, who knocked out Zheng Saisai 6-1 6-4.

Sam Stosur was the biggest casualty of the day, with the Australian fourth seed losing 6-3 6-4 to Japan's Nao Hibino.

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Top seed Angelique Kerber made an assured start to her challenge by seeing off Maria Sakkari in straight sets, while defending champion Jelena Jankovic hammered Samantha Crawford 6-3 6-1.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Wang Qiang, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Kristina Mladenovic and Caroline Garcia against Zhang Ling, Basak Eraydin, Dalila Jakupovic and Tereza Martincova respectively.

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