Wuhan, Hubei, China, 26 September 2017 | AAP

Ashleigh Barty has recorded one of the biggest wins of her career by defeating world No.7 Johanna Konta 6-0 4-6 7-6(3) at the Wuhan Open.

The Queenslander dominated the Sydney-born Konta in the opening set but let the fifth-seeded Briton back into the match.

Konta looked set to advance to the last 16 thanks to an early break in the deciding set.

However, Barty held her nerve. Konta served for the match and led 30-15, yet the Aussie broke back to level the set at 5-5.

Boosted by that escape, the unseeded world No.37 from Ipswich dominated the subsequent tiebreak from the first point to set up a clash against Agnieszka Radwanska or Julia Goerges.

Goerges beat Barty’s compatriot Daria Gavrilova 6-4 1-6 6-4 in the first round.

Meanwhile, Sam Stosur’s tournament was ended by Swiss wild card Jill Teichmann, who prevailed 6-4 3-6 6-3.

It’s Stosur’s third loss in three matches as she makes a comeback to tennis after more than three months on the sidelines with a hand injury.