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US Open 2021: Johanna Konta beats Heather Watson in first round

Johanna Konta after hitting a forehand
Johanna Konta reached the US Open quarter-finals in 2019
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 31 Aug-13 Sept
Protection: Chosen stay radio and textual content commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Reside Sports activities Further, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport web site and app.

British primary Johanna Konta overcame a difficult first set to beat compatriot Heather Watson 7-6 (9-7) 6-1 and advance to the US Open second round.

Konta, 29, was made to work exhausting for the first set, saving six set factors earlier than profitable a tie-break.

However the ninth seed then took command, dropping only one sport in the second.

Konta, a quarter-finalist in 2019 at Flushing Meadows, now performs Romania’s world quantity 77 Sorana Cirstea.

It’s the first step for Konta as she appears to be like to enhance on her effort final yr, particularly given six of the world’s high 10 girls are absent.

Hopes are excessive for the approaching into the US Open after a semi-finals look eventually week’s Western and Southern Open.

However from the outset Watson, 28, confirmed a number of the kind that received her a WTA title in Acapulco earlier than coronavirus put a cease to aggressive tennis earlier this yr.

There was little to separate the 2 Britons in the opening video games, as each held serve in a high-quality contest.

Konta started to edge forward and ultimately acquired the break to go 5-Four up, however world quantity 54 Watson broke again instantly.

After saving two set factors at 6-5 down, Konta relied on her serve to avoid wasting 4 extra in the tie-break.

She ultimately wrapped up the set after an hour and 13 minutes as Watson’s forehand drifted vast of the road.

Two breaks of serve in fast succession – one due to a elegant forehand lob – introduced Konta to match level at 5-Zero up however she slapped a backhand winner into the online.

She served out with ease although, holding to like to earn her place in the second round.

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