Great Britain’s Johanna Konta becomes the new British number one in women’s tennis for the first time after Heather Watson lost her opening round at the Wuhan Open in China.

Watson, 23, was defeated 6-3 2-6 6-3 by the Serbian Jelena Jankovic, meaning that Konta will replace her as British No1 when the new WTA rankings are announced next week.

Australian-born Konta, 24, has been in staggering form, has won 19 of her 20 matches since losing to Maria Sharapova in June and has already defeated world No 17 Andrea Petkovic in China.

Johanna Konta replaces Heather Watson as new British No 1 after Jelena Jankovic loss in China: http://t.co/CyQS2o6QJX pic.twitter.com/8TSOEgrerx

— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) September 28, 2015

Konta will take on Victoria Azarenka in the second round as she looks to continue her remarkable rise up the WTA rankings.