JO KEYED UP FOR VICTORY
Battling Konta off to a flyer on her return in Australia
JOHANNA KONTA rediscovered her old form to see off US Open finalist Madison Keys and register her first win since August.
The British No.1 won just two matches after reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals and ended her season in October with a foot injury following five consecutive defeats.
But back in the land of her birth, the 2016 Australian Open semifinalist showed the fight which also clinched the Sydney International title last January.
The 4-6 6-4 6-3 victory over world No.19 Keys at the Brisbane International was her first with new coach Michael Joyce.
“It was my first match in quite a while and a tough first round,” said Konta. “It feels good to come through a match like that, especially in three sets and especially someone like her. Madison is a great player. She has a big game, so when my chances came I had to take them.
“But I never lost faith in my ability. And I think every player goes through periods in their career, multiple times, where things aren’t turning out the way you want them to.”
Keys played only one more tournament after losing to Sloane Stephens in New York and ended her season in September with more wrist problems.
“It was damn good tennis today,” said the American (right). “I haven’t played a match in four months, so it’s like a win for me. Played really well. She played better.
“I’m not that upset about it. If I played the way I played against most people today, I probably would have won. She happened to be better. Too good.”
Konta’s win over Keys earned the world No.19 a second-round match today with Australian wilcard Ajla Tomljanovic on her return from shoulder trouble.
“I haven’t seen her play too much in recent years just because I know she has struggled with injury but she’s a good player, I do know that,” said Konta.
“It’s going to be a tough match.”
Lucky loser Heather Watson (left) was called up as a replacement when Petra Kvitova pulled out with a virus but the Brit lost 6-0 6-3 to Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit.
In the biggest upset of the day, qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus beat French No.6 seed Kristina Mladenovic 1-6 6-3 7-5.
Ryan Harrison set up a meeting with British second seed Andy Murray by overcoming Leonardo Mayer 6-4 3-6 6-2.