Konta serving for the first set. It's been the strongest aspect of her game so far.

Sakkari plays an odd drop shot which Konta reads and races on to it, burying the loose ball to end a crazy rally. Bewitched by spin there.

Konta hits another backhand into the net, she's not playing very well out there. Well enough to win the set?

Yep.

A new world number one? A new Wimbledon champion is almost certain.

Maria Sakkari finds an ace to nudge her ahead in the game, and Konta dumps another return into the net. Sakkari holds with a sweeping winner.

Image source, EPA

Simona Halep remains in contention to become world number one for the first time after beating Peng Shuai of China in straight sets to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon.

Halep, currently second in the world behind Angelique Kerber, won 6-4 7-6 (9-7).

The Romanian needs to make the semi-finals at least to have a chance of becoming world number one.

Should she manage that then Kerber needs to reach the final to retain hope of staying top of the rankings.

Karen Khachanov serves to start the second set, desperately trying to get a foothold in this match.

But Nadal is not taking his foot off the gas and has two break points.

Khachanov saves them both to get back on level terms at deuce and after 30 minutes in this match, he manages to hold and win a game on serve.

That will do the 21-year-old's confidence wonders.

Jo Konta hits another ball out, too many are going too big, and she faces two break points.

A big serve down the middle saves one. Number two? Saved as Sakkari pumps her return deep and out.

That big serve right down the middle gives her advantage but again she fires a forehand miles out of play. Too much adrenaline? Too much pressure? Too much something.

That's nine unforced errors from Konta already. Nine easy points for her opponent, and that sort of thing will tell deeper into the tournament.

She does hold her serve though to move to within one of the set.

This rally impressed John Inverdale, you can make your own mind up by playing the video below.

Rafael Nadal hit nine winners in that first set, his Russian opponent Karen Khachanov failed to hit a single one.

Image source, Getty Images

Rafa Nadal may win his match before this women's game is wrapped up. Warp speed on Centre.

On Court One, Jo Konta is back on serve and sends down a double fault. 0-30, chance for Sakkari?

Konta goes for an ace and almost serves it out of the court! Wayward stuff, before a lengthy rally ends with Sakkari finding the back of the court.

15-30

In the blink of an eye Nadal has won the first set.

There were four breaks of serve in that set, with the two-time Champion winning three of them.

A small blip at 4-0 offered Karen Khachanov a small glimmer of hope, but that was quickly snuffed out and Nadal marched on to take the set 6-1.

Fair to say Tim Henman was impressed with Nadal's start on Centre Court...

Rafael Nadal is a ruthless competitor and losing his serve has only fired him up more.

He breaks Karen Khachanov again and now leads 5-1 after just 21 minutes.

Johanna Konta has too much power for Maria Sakkari, that's clear to see. She may have too much power for her own good at times though, overclubbing shots from the baseline out of play. Rein it in.

Again she goes too big cross court, she reviews her shot but it's a ball-width wide of the line. The line judges are good aren't they? Very rare you see a review overturned.

Sakkari holds.

Image source, Reuters

There's been another high profile exit in the women's singles, this time eighth seed Dominika Cibulkova has lost in three sets to Croatia's Ana Konjuh.

The sixth game opens up with the rally of the match so far, Konta comes out on top with a punchy forehand down the line. Nothing wrong with her mobility out on Court One.

Too sloppy in her approach play though. Needs to tighten that up. Her serve is a weapon though, plundering another ace down the middle.

Keep that up and the first set is over...

Who saw this coming?

Khachanov gets one of his breaks back, winning Nadal's service game to love.

Huge fist pump by the Russian and he finally gets a game on the board.

Image source, EPA

Karen Khachanov is being bamboozled by Rafael Nadal, who is racing away with this first set.

He breaks the Russian again, the pick of the shots being an incredible cross-court forehand winner.

There was also a double fault by the long-limbed Khachanov, who doesn't seem to have an answer to Nadal at the moment.

Konta's ground radar is not quite calibrated yet. She has hit a fair few long on her forehand. Both players are missing plenty of shots in these fledgling stages though.

Konta drifts a backhand slice well wide to gift Sakkari a game point - one she takes.

Tracy Austin
Former Wimbledon mixed doubles champion

We've talked about mental improvement with Konta, her forehand has improved as well. It is so sturdy and strong, particularly cross-court.

Perfect start...

Konta will see that last game as a missed opportunity to go two breaks up. Her own serve looks a class above to be honest, Sakkari has had no answer to it yet.

If she can't return it, she can't break it. Konta holds with a second ace out wide.