Konta crashes out, but Norrie goes through

JOHANNA Konta’s disappointing run at grand slams continued with a comprehensive defeat by sixth seed Caroline Garcia in the US Open heat.

The British No.1 was beaten 6-2, 6-2 and has now only won two matches at the last five slams combined, although this was by far the most difficult draw she has had. That was a legacy of the fall down the rankings that meant Konta was not seeded at a slam for the first time since the 2016 Australian Open. The Frenchwoman’s serve in particular was very impressive, sending down seven aces and denying Konta a break point throughout the match.

Two early double faults did not help Konta and, although her serve and game improved, the damage had already been done as Garcia clinched victory after an hour and 15 minutes.

Serena Williams made an emphatic return to Flushing Meadows with a 6-4, 6-0 victory over Poland’s Magda Linette, achieving her victory in just an hour and nine minutes.

Cameron Norrie, meanwhile, earned a spot in the second round with a 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over the Australian, Jordan Thompson.

Norrie served 11 double faults but hit 41 winners as he progressed to the second round for the second successive year. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a swift rise up the rankings since turning professional last spring and, having come through qualifying here 12 months ago, is now in the top 70.

He played like it against Thompson, a 24-year-old ranked 108, and moves through to a second-round clash with Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic.