Johanna Konta beats Madison Brengle in straight sets at Australian Open
British No 1 needed just 66 minutes and fires eight aces and 37 winners on way to a meeting with lucky loser Bernarda Pera
Tuesday 16 January 2018 15:07, UK
Johanna Konta breezed into the second round of the Australian Open with a comfortable 6-3 6-1 victory over America's Madison Brengle.
Konta's quest for a maiden Grand Slam title got off to the best possible start at the venue where she made her breakthrough two years ago, and if Tuesday's performance is anything to go by she has every chance of another strong run in the country of her birth.
The 26-year-old, who had been troubled by a hip injury in the early weeks of the season, was a Wimbledon semi-finalist last year but has enjoyed runs to the quarter and semi-finals in Melbourne over the last two years - losing to the eventual champion on both occasions
Konta was beaten by Serena Williams in the last eight 12 months ago and Angelique Kerber in her maiden major semi-final in 2016 and the ninth seed was given little trouble by world No 90 Brengle in the opening match of the day on Hisense Arena.
In the absence of Andy Murray in the men's draw, Konta represents Britain's most realistic hope for a singles champion at Melbourne Park and her all-court game was in good order as she booked her second round spot for the loss of just four games in just over an hour.
"I am happy with the match, I knew it was going to be tough as she gets a lot of balls back - I am happy and pleased I was able to stick to the style of play that I wanted to," Konta said in her on-court interview.
"I love playing here and I have had some of the best results of my career here so I am excited to be back.
"It is a testament to how many great first and second round matches that we have [that we have seen some early upsets].
"Some of the games at this stage are of such a great quality, it shows how much depth there is in the women's game at the opponent."
Konta cashed in on an aggressive start, breaking her American opponent for a 2-1 lead and an early initiative she never surrendered.
Brengle, who beat Serena Williams in Auckland last year, couldn't quite force an opening on the ninth seed's serve despite a couple of early scares for the Brit, while in contrast Konta was taking her chances.
She broke again for a 5-2 lead and serving with new balls moved to the brink of the set with a couple of aces. As well as a powerful serve, Konta was throwing in a clutch of unforced errors as she looked to impose her will on the match and she handed Brengle a chance to break back which the American took.
It merely delayed the inevitable as Konta broke for a third time to take the first set in 35 minutes courtesy of four unanswered points.
She took her run to eight straight points by holding to love in the opening game of the second set and broke again in the fourth game before consolidating with a comfortable hold to move within two games of the second round.
A pair of blistering returns gave Konta another break and having missed out on three match points she was forced to save a break point before taking her chance at the fourth time of asking.
