WIM Fissette is a man who knows a champion when he sees one, having worked with Kim Clijsters when she was No 1 in the world. So when he got a call from an agent last November, asking if he might fancy teaming up with Johanna Konta, the Belgian coach had no hesitation.

“I had contact with her agent in Singapore [at the WTA Finals],” the Belgian said after Konta’s impressive 6-1, 6-3 win over former No 1 Caroline Wozniacki. “I told him I was available and looking for a good opportunity but I was surprised when he called me. I was immediately very excited about this project.”

If Konta continues to play at the same level over the second week of the Australian Open as she showed in week one, then anything is possible.

Yesterday, Konta, the world No 9 was in stunning form as she walloped Wozniacki to set up a fourth-round meeting with Ekaterina Makarova of Russia. But it’s the possibility of a clash with Serena Williams in the quarter- finals that has everyone licking their lips, as the American continues her push for a record 23rd Grand Slam singles title.

Wozniacki is giving Konta at least a fighting chance. “I think if she keeps playing like this, then she has a good chance against Serena,” the Dane said. “Obviously, Serena is a champion, and has won so many Grand Slams. She’s been in tough positions. But I think Johanna is playing on a very high level right now.”

When Fissette began working with Konta, he saw shades of former world No 1s Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova.

“She’s got that extra factor, absolutely,” he said. “There’s one other thing I feel she has in common with players like Sharapova, Azarenka, and that is to keep the concentration for the whole match at the same level.

“She has some moments where she can make a few more unforced errors, but she will play every point, whether it’s 40-0, or 0-40, with the same intensity of concentration as all the other points. That’s what I see in her that’s very important, as well.

“In her game the quality of her second serve is something I’m amazed about. She goes for high quality and wins so many points on her second serve it’s amazing.

“There is also the way she has been serving out sets and matches this year. I know it’s not easy, she doesn’t have 10 years’ experience on the WTA Tour, but you have to serve out against players like [Eugenie] Bouchard, [Agnieszka] Radwanska and she has done it in a very mature way.”

Two years ago, Konta was ranked 150 when the Australian Open came around and lost in the first round of qualifying. Last year, she enjoyed a stunning run to the semi-finals before losing to Angelique Kerber, who went on to win the title.

This year, having won the title in Sydney, she has looked like a contender from the moment she set foot in Melbourne.

There is growing talk that Konta has what it takes to be the first British woman to win a Grand Slam singles title since Virginia Wade won Wimbledon in 1977.

“I absolutely believes she belongs at the top, she has everything to be there,” Fissette said. “She has a great strong body and a strong mind and her game is very big so she has everything to be up there.

“What is common with all those players is they want to improve and get better every day and have high ambitions and that’s what I also find with Jo. Her ambitions are high.

Fissette said he sees no reason why Konta, especially at a time when Azarenka, Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova are off the tour, for differing reasons, cannot win one of the sport’s biggest titles.

“I do feel when she’s playing well she can beat everyone,” he said. “And I do believe there will be a day when she can win a Grand Slam. I don’t say when. But when I got a call from her agent, I believed already that there will be a day that she can win a Grand Slam, especially with her attitude, trying to get better every day.

“I do believe in that, but from here we have to think about Makarova. We’ll try to analyse her opponent as well as we can and we’ll start from there.”

Williams also has to overcome another obstacle before we can start thinking of a blockbuster quarter-final.

The American plays Czech 16th seed Barbora Strycova for a place in the last eight, having thumped fellow American Nicole Gibbs 6-1, 6-3 yesterday to move another step closer towards that Grand Slam record. Williams has looked strong and solid here so far and knows she might have to be battle against Strycova, who has a habit of playing long matches.

“She’s super fit,” six-time champion Williams said. “She has a good game. She’s very aggressive, so that would be nice to play.

“But I don’t have anything to prove in this tournament. I’m just doing the best I can. Obviously I’m here for one reason. But at the end of the day, this is all a bonus for me and I look forward to playing her. I’m ready for her.”Karolina Pliskova will play Daria Gavrilova tomorrow after both won three-setters. Fifth seed Pliskova came from 5-2 down in the third to beat Jelena Ostapenko 4-6, 6-0, 10-8 while Gavrilova edged out Timea Bacsinsky 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.