Konta refuses to overthink clash
WOMEN’S DRAW
JOHANNA Konta will look to continue her progress at the US Open today when she takes on Romanian Sorana Cirstea in the second round.
The Briton, seeded ninth at Flushing Meadows this year, having overcome a tough opener in more ways than one against Heather Watson, her Fed Cup team- mate.
Watson had six set points in the first set but Konta held on and then eased through the second and should take confidence into her match with Cirstea, the world No 77.
The Romanian was ranked as high as No. 21 back in 2013 but the only time the pair met, on the grass courts of Eastbourne three years ago, Konta ran out a comfortable winner.
Cirstea is a dangerous player, with a big forehand, but the way Konta has been playing means she will be favourite to advance to the third round. With the US Open played behind closed doors due to the Coronavirus restrictions, all the players have been adjusting to life inside the bubble, a bubble that has proved to be relatively tight, despite the positive test of Benoit Paire.
Like the other seeded players in the tournament, Konta has been able to relax in one of the sponsor suites inside the main stadiums, while she’s also been enjoying the use of Netflix in the hotel.
The worry of testing positive is always in the back of players’ heads but Konta said she is trying to be philosophical about it all.
“I’m not trying not to think about it too much,” she said. “Kind of trying to take it each test at a time. Each negative test I get back, I’m, like, Woo, I’m in it for another four days.”
“Otherwise, [ I’m] just kind of being sensible and doing the best that I can kind of for myself and the people around me.”