KONTA FIRED UP FOR BRIT BATTLE

JO KONTA faces Heather Watson in the US Open first round today and hopes it will be a happier experience than when she last competed with compatriots. The British No 1 goes into the match confirming that she was disappointed by some of the antics at the ‘Battle of the Brits’ event at Roehampton recently. The tournament ended with a presentation at which a lifesize cardboard cutout of Konta was paraded.

She was absent on the final day as she was training for events coming up in America. The cutout, apparently unearthed by Liam Broady, caused much mirth among other players and coaches but Konta feels she was the victim of a misunderstanding and was left somewhat unamused by the events.

‘I think it reflects more on them than me,’ she said curtly, as she prepared to meet Britain’s No 2, who was on opposite sides for the Jamie Murray-organised event. Konta explained she had made only a limited commitment to the event. ‘My agreement with Jamie was that I was only ever meant to play two matches,’ she said. ‘I had scheduled my training accordingly, and that’s why I wasn’t there.’

Any ill-feeling stemming from the ‘Battle of the Brits’ does not extend to Watson, the world No 54. ‘We get on well,’ said Konta.

‘There is always going to be an added element because it’s two Brits playing each other but we are both just going to do the best we can.’ With Konta having won all three previous meetings, she starts as clear favourite.

● Watson v Konta is on Amazon Prime at approximately 5.30pm UK time.