British number one Johanna Konta continued her calm and composed form at the US Open with a 6-2 6-3 win over Zhang Shuai. The 28-year-old took just 71 minutes to reach the last 16 for the third Grand Slam in a row and will now meet Czech Karolina Pliskova after the third seed defeated Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur 6-1 4-6 6-4.
It is the third occasion Konta has made the fourth round at Flushing Meadows and speaking after Friday’s match, admitted she was pleased by the way in which she managed her performance against Zhang. “I’m really pleased. I am playing tough opponents and every match is difficult,” she said.
“They are never clean and straightforward matches, there are always two players on court. There was nothing easy about that match. I had to stay clear on what was happening in the match.” Elsewhere in the women’s draw, Serena Williams defeated Czech Karolina Muchova 6-3 6-2, while French Open champion Ashleigh Barty had too much for Greek 30th seed Maria Sakkari, winning 7-5 6-3.
Ukrainian fifth seed Elina Svitolina, who beat compatriot Dayana Yastremska 6-2 6-0, will now take on 2017 runner-up Madison Keys who took out fellow American Sofia Kenin 6-3 7-5.
