Wuhan, Hubei, China, 25 September 2017 | AP

Ash Barty has set up a second round clash with world No.7 Johanna Konta after a straight-sets win in the opening round of the Wuhan Open.

After a tight first set against American CiCi Bells, Barty steamrolled her way through the second to win 7-5 6-0.

Konta, who had a first round bye, enjoyed a win over Barty in their only clash, in the quarterfinals of Nottingham earlier this year.

They will play their second-round match on Monday night.

https://twitter.com/ashbar96/status/911884127833436160

In a breakout year Barty has risen to No.37 in the world, from 271 at the start of 2017.

A few more wins this year should ensure she breaks into the top 32, enabling her to avoid playing seeds in the first two rounds of Grand Slam tournaments.

Barty’s compatriots Daria Gavrilova and Sam Stosur are also in the field at the $2.36 million Premier 5 event.

Both playing their first-round matches on Monday, Gavrilova opens against German Julia Goerges while Stosur has drawn wildcard Jil Teichmann of Switzerland.