Konta and Kyle draw no comfort
THE Australian Open is already making headlines and yet a ball will not be struck in anger for another three days.
It is those who have failed to make the trip Down Under – or those who have limped here carrying injuries – who are causing a stir and, as a result, both draws are supposed to be there for the taking by any young hopeful with a bit of courage and a hefty forehand.
Alas, the chance of one of those young hopes coming from Britain seems unlikely – the Poms took a bashing in yesterday’s draw.
Kyle Edmund was pitted against US Open finalist Kevin Anderson and Johanna Konta found herself up against Madison Brengle, a woman she has lost to three times in four meetings. Heather Watson will play Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva, who as the world No50 is ranked 24 places higher than the British No2.
If Konta manages to beat American Brengle – and with the British No1 sitting 83 ranking spots above her at No9 in the world, that seems likely – there are a host of obstacles cluttering her path to the sharp end of the tournament, not least a potential clash with world No1 Simona Halep in the quarter-finals.
As for Edmund, his trip to the southern hemisphere is proving to be a true test of patience and belief. He was playing extremely well last week in Brisbane, taking on Grigor Dimitrov stroke for stroke in the quarter-finals in Brisbane, before losing his footing and rolling his ankle.
That kept him out of the Auckland event this week and now he must find a way to defuse the thunderbolts the 6ft 8ins Anderson will serve at him with relentless precision.
Edmund tried to do just that last year at Roland Garros but the big South African simply would not let him and won in five sets. Now, having reached his first Grand Slam final last September, Anderson has added experience to his muscle.
“The US Open last summer was great for me – I learned a lot,” said Anderson. “Hopefully if I can reach the last few rounds, I will feel more comfortable. The courts are playing a little bit faster so hopefully that will help my serve.”
Maria Sharapova, still clawing her way back up the rankings after a 15-month drugs ban, has her work cut out if she is to claim her second Australian title.
Sharapova, now ranked No 47, could face 14th seed Anastasija Sevastova in the second round, Angelique Kerber – the 2016 champion – in the third round and Garbine Muguruza, the Wimbledon champion, in round four.
Roger Federer will begin the defence of his title against former Brit Aljaz Bedene and is in the same half of the draw as Novak Djokovic, although whether the Serb plays is still in doubt as he comes back from an elbow injury.
Djokovic, 30, beat world No 5 Dominic Thiem 6-1, 6-4 at the Kooyong Classic in his first competitive game since Wimbledon and said: “I’m very happy with how it went.” Asked about the Australian Open, he replied: “For now I’m in the tournament.” In the top half of the draw, Rafael Nadal’s first big threat should come from the USA’s John Isner in round four.
Naomi Broady battled through to the second round of qualifying but there were defeats for Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter.
Broady, the British No 3, recovered from dropping the second set to Kathinka von Deichmann of Liechtenstein to win 7-6, 5-7, 6-3 in Melbourne.
She will face Bibiane Schoofs in the second round with three victories needed for a place in the main draw.
Norrie was well beaten 6-4, 6-2 by John-Patrick Smith of Australia, while Boulter retired with a leg problem trailing 6-4, 6-7, 5-2 to America’s Kayla Day.
Watson, meanwhile, capitalised on a fast start to beat Donna Vekic 6-0, 6-4 and set up a semi-final against last year’s winner Elise Mertens at the Hobart International.
For now I’m in the tournament Novak Djokovic