Britain’s Johanna Konta began her Miami Open title defence with a second-round win over Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens.

Konta, ranked 14th in the world, registered a 6-4 6-3 victory over the world number 71 in 84 minutes.

The 11th seed, who had a bye in the first round, looked composed as she hit eight aces and 27 winners on her way to victory.

She will face either Germany’s 22nd seed Elise Mertens or American Bernarda Pera in the third round.

Elsewhere, Czech Petra Kvitova beat Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 3-6 6-3, and Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina knocked out Indian Wells champion Naomi Osaka.

Japan’s Osaka, who had won eight consecutive matches and beaten Serena Williams in the opening round, lost 6-4 6-2 to the world number four.

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Konta has won six and lost six of her 12 matches this season and, since her run to the Wimbledon semi-finals in July, has won just nine of her 20 matches.

She was knocked out in the second round at Indian Wells a fortnight ago and has to defend 1,000 ranking points in Miami to remain within the world’s top 25.

The 26-year-old had five opportunities to break Flipkens in the fifth game of the first set, but the Belgian managed to hold in a game that lasted 10 minutes.

Konta broke to love in Flipkens’ next service game to take a 4-3 lead, and she served strongly en route to wrapping up the first set.

She broke quickly in the second set but was forced to stave off a break point in the next game to consolidate her break, before wrapping up victory shortly afterwards.