Jo looked terrified says Croft

ANNABEL CROFT claimed Jo Konta wore a mask of “terror” on her face as she lost again in the first round of the French Open.

The world No.8 wrapped up the first set in only 23 minutes against world No.109 Su-Wei Hsieh.

But Konta (below) lost the 70-minute second set on a tiebreak after saving five break points.

And the one-dimensional hardcourt specialist became increasingly frustrated by the slices and drop shots from the tricky former doubles No.1.

The Chinese Taipei player, who is now based in Paris, closed out the topsy-turvy victory 1-6 7-6 6-4.

Eurosport commentator Croft, a former British No.1, said: “For so much of the last two years, we’ve been marveling at how Jo applies herself, how she takes her game to her opponent and doesn’t let anything get in the way of that.

“But today, almost the entire match after that first set, her facial expressions were one of terror and exasperation.

“She’s going to be so bitterly disappointed, because this was a really good draw for her.”

Konta has never won a main draw match in Paris.

She failed to qualify twice and has now lost her opening match for three consecutive years. The No.7 seed has still only ever won four Tour-level matches on clay in her entire career.

But the 26-year-old, who will start her grasscourt campaign in Nottingham, said: “The thing is that my expectations are never results-orientated.

“In that sense, whether I’ve lost first round or third round or quarters, I do my best to not judge myself on that aspect.

“I do feel I’m a better player at the end of this last few weeks on the surface than I was at the beginning.

“That is the most I can ask of myself – to keep improving. I played a player who played incredibly well today, and it gave me another opportunity to learn about myself.”