On a day when temperatures reached 35C in Melbourne, Johanna Konta was relieved to safely negotiate her way into the second round of the Australian Open in straight sets.
Konta, who arrived here at a career-high world ranking of No 9, is regarded as a leading contender for the women’s singles title and her ninth victory in ten matches this year certainly backed that up, defeating Belgian Kirsten Flipkens 7-5, 6-2 in one hour and 36 minutes.
“It was incredibly tricky. She has the kind of game that can make any player feel uncomfortable out thereJohanna Konta
“I definitely love playing here,” Konta said. “It’s a dream. A lot has happened in the last year, but I’m just enjoying playing and trying to get better every day.”
This was an early test for Konta against a tricky customer in world No 70 Flipkens, the experienced 31-year-old who plays with a lot of touch and feel in her game and possesses a backhand slice that dies on the court. Flipkens’ only victory in her three matches against Konta was in their most recent encounter, in the quarter-finals of the WTA event in Monterrey last March.
Konta’s power game had been used to great effect to win her second WTA title in Sydney last week, but she was not quite firing from the off here during the opening few games. However, she did eventually claim the break for 4-3 by pushing Flipkens back and forcing a forehand error.
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Konta had difficulty in seeing out the set in a lengthy game at 5-4, failing to take two set points and then dropping serve as Flipkens converted her fourth break point with a clever lob that led to Konta putting a high backhand volley wide.
Any threat of the momentum turning was averted, however, as Konta immediately reclaimed the break and served out the set at the second time of asking.
Flipkens did well to save four break points in the opening game of the second set, but Konta did eventually move ahead for 3-2 by stepping in and swatting away a backhand return off a short second serve.
There were signs towards the end that both players were feeling the heat, with the mercury rising in the thermometer, so it was a relief for Konta to claim the double break for 5-2 and then quickly close out the match.
“It was incredibly tricky,” Konta said. “She has the kind of game that can make any player feel uncomfortable out there.
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“I knew coming into the match that I was going to have to stay patient and really play myself into the match. I’m happy to have come through.”
● Serena Williams began her quest for a 23rd Grand Slam title in style, overcoming the threat from Swiss star Belinda Bencic.
The American, who lost the top ranking to Angelique Kerber last year, blitzed the unseeded 19-year-old 6-4, 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena in scorching temperatures as she hunts down a seventh Melbourne Park crown. It sets her up for a clash with Lucie Safarova from the Czech Republic, who saved nine match points before beating Belgian Yanina Wickmayer in their encounter.
