Konta suffers another first round defeat at French Open
Johanna Konta suffered more pain in Paris after another first-round exit at the French Open.
The British number one has still yet to win a main draw match at Roland Garros after bowing out meekly to Yulia Putintseva, the world number 93.
It was another hugely disappointing performance from Konta, who pre-tournament had insisted she has the game to be a success on clay.
An unforced error count of 32 suggested otherwise as Putintseva ran out an ultimately comfortable 6-4 6-3 winner.
Jelena Ostapenko’s reign as French Open champion came crashing to a halt in the first round.
The Latvian, who was unseeded when she roared through the draw to claim her shock triumph last year, was beaten in straight sets by Ukrainian Kateryna Kozlova.
Ostapenko, seeded five, looked a shadow of the player on the Court Philippe Chatrier upon which she shone so brightly 12 months ago.
She contributed 13 double faults amid 48 unforced errors to tumble out 7-5 6-3 to the world number 66.
Venus Williams was also beaten, losing 6-4 7-5 by Wang Qiang of China on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
Wang, ranked 85, had lost to Williams in the first round in Paris last year and also at Wimbledon a few weeks later.
But she gained revenge in spectacular style with a first victory over the seven-time grand slam winner for the biggest win of her career.
US Open champion Sloane Stephens dropped just two games in a 6-2 6-0 win over Arantxa Rus of Holland.