Australian-born Brit Johanna Konta has continued her red-hot start to 2017 by seeing off the challenge of Belgian Kirsten Flipkens in the opening round of the Australian Open.

Konta is ranked a career-high No.9 in the world after winning her second WTA title at last week’s Sydney International without dropping a single set.

The No.9 seed – who recorded her best-ever grand slam result last year when she advanced to the semi-finals at Melbourne Park – was made to work hard on Tuesday before beating Flipkens 7-5 6-2 in one hour and 36 minutes.