Tennis star cruises at Abierto Monterrey Afirme

Brit Johanna Konta eased through the opening round of the Abierto Monterrey Afirme with a straightforward win over Mariana Duque-Marino.

Konta, a semi-finalist at the Australian Open, needed just over 75 minutes to claim a 6-3 6-3 victory over the Colombian.

The fourth seed broke serve four times in a dominant display on the hard courts in Mexico on Monday.

Konta was one of two seeds in action, with Alison Van Uytvanck joining her in winning through to the second round.

The Belgian sixth seed sent down six aces in her 6-4 6-2 triumph over American Irina Falconi.

Joining them in the next round were Heather Watson and Mirjana Lucic-Baroni.

Brit Watson was challenged and needed two hours, 47 minutes to battle past Misaki Doi 6-4 6-7 (0-7) 6-3.

Croatia's Lucic-Baroni, a quarter-finalist in Acapulco last week, overcame Tatjana Maria 7-5 6-4.