Two down, four to go. That’s the scenario facing Gabriella Taylor as the Hampshire teenager stepped up her challenge for this year’s Junior Wimbledon title with an emphatic win.

The 18 year old from Southampton crushed Lucrezia Stefanini of Italy 6-2 6-2 in less than an hour at the All England Club today to the delight of the home support around Court 5.

Having won both her opening matches in the girls’ singles without losing a set, conceding just eight games in the process, Taylor looks very much the form player in what will be her last junior tournament before she steps up onto the ruthless treadmill of the main women’s tour next month.

And on the evidence of yesterday’s win it’s looking increasingly likely that she could go out in style.

“The wind was pretty difficult out there but I managed to get through it and I’m happy with the way that I played,” said Taylor.

“When you win any match like that then it’s a boost to the confidence. I want to perform really well in every match, but it doesn’t always go like that. Sometimes you’re on the back foot instead and you’ve got to dig deep.

“The last two matches here have gone according to plan which I can only take as a positive. I’m definitely in a positive state of mind right now.”

Taylor will now face the number two seed Rebeka Masarova of Switzerland for a place in the quarter-finals.

Masarova, the reigning junior French Open champion, has also yet to lose a set at this year’s Junior Wimbledon meaning something will have to give when the pair come together later today in what promises to be an intriguing contest between two of the brightest young talents in the game.

“I’ve never played her before but she won the French at Roland Garros so obviously it’s not going to be an easy match,” adds Taylor.

“I’m just going to go out there and give it my best. My call is to win Junior Wimbledon but obviously I have to take it one match at a time. I’ve just got to keep performing the way I know I can because it’s not going to get any easier from here on.”

Junior Wimbledon is competed for by the best young players in the world aged 18 and under. Previous girls’ singles winners include Tracy Austin, Martina Hingis and Laura Robson.