Konta’s got to hold her nerve
The tennis commentariat have been in overdrive this week about Jo Konta, a sign of her elevated status in the game now that Wimbledon is here.
Along with the praise for her tennis, there has been a constant theme to their appraisals, which could be summed up by what eSPn’s Chris evert became the latest to say: ‘It all depends on Jo Konta’s nerves, how she’s going to play.’
We will find out a lot this afternoon, when Britain’s highest women’s seed since Jo Durie takes on Su-Wei hsieh of Taiwan on Court no 1 in a rematch of their French Open first round.
Playing on the main court at Roland Garros, Konta was outsmarted and beaten by the tricky mix of hsieh who, despite a modest ranking of 113, will provide a decent test again, even assuming that Britain’s no 6 seed is fully fit.
It was not just pressure displacement when Konta said yesterday: ‘I know she enjoys the grass, she’s a Wimbledon doubles champion. Actually the first time I played her I lost to her on grass. I know she will be playing comfortably on this surface but I’d like to think that I’m better prepared.’
Konta will come in bolstered by the fact that her last match, prior to pulling out of eastbourne’s semi-finals with a sore back, was a victory in straight sets over world no 1 Angelique Kerber, even though that comes with an asterisk these days due to the German’s sub-par form. But will Konta be able to handle the much- discussed pressure that comes with trying to become an unlikely successor to virginia Wade, 40 years on?
‘I guess because my expectations continue to be my own, continue to be what I judge myself on, in that sense not much has changed,’ Konta said.
‘But I know there’s more interest in my performance. That’s a good thing, it means we are talking more about women’s tennis in this country. I’m coming into Wimbledon with some great time on the grass. That doesn’t guarantee results but I’ve prepared the best I can.’
A decent Wimbledon is a rare shortfall in Konta’s c.v. these days, and the question will keep being asked until she compiles a decent run at SW19. Konta is one of four British women playing today, and hopes will be high that she is not a solitary success.
If heather Watson reproduces her eastbourne semi-final form, she should beat Belgium’s Maryna Zanevska. Laura Robson is seeking her first win at Wimbledon since making the fourth round in 2013, and will see a decent opportunity against Brazil’s Beatriz haddad Maia, who has not played in the main draw before.
naomi Broady has a more difficult task against Irina Camelia Begu of Romania, but has the firepower to trouble her. The reality remains that Konta is the only GB woman in the top 100, making her even more isolated than Andy Murray.