The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Konta reaches 300 wins as injury ends Moore bid
British No 1 advances but Watson comeback stalls
Johanna Konta racked up her 300th career win with a first-round success at the Aegon Open in Nottingham but Heather Watson was beaten.
Konta, the British No 1, celebrated her milestone with a trip to the cinema to watch Wonder Woman.
It is a fitting choice of film as the 26-year-old, ranked No 8 in the world, has become the superhero of women’s tennis in this country following her surge to the top of the game over the last two years.
She notched up a landmark victory when Tara Moore retired in the second set of their clash, leading 6-4 3-0 when her compatriot called it a day due to a foot injury.
A fair chunk of those career wins have seen her make headlines in the last two years with runs to the Australian Open semi-finals, a defining title at the Miami Open in April and a quarter-final spot at the Rio Olympics. And it is her win over Svetlana Kuznetsova in Rio that she notes as the best of her 300.
“I didn’t know it was a landmark so it is a nice surprise,” Konta, top seed in Nottingham, said. “It is obviously not in the best of circumstances but it is more of a celebration of all the other victories.
“I can’t remember my first one at all. I have matured a lot since then and am a better player.
“I was really proud to play at the Olympics for Great Britain in 2016 so that would have to be a highlight and specifically my long match against Svetlana Kuznetsova.
“Hopefully there’s many more to come.
“I am hoping to get my team together (on Tuesday) afternoon so we can go to the cinema. I want to watch Wonder Woman.”
Watson was not in celebratory mood as she went out to 2016 runner-up Alison Riske in straight sets, losing 6-2 6-3.
Watson, once ranked 38 in the world, is now down at 113 and will be dependent on either a wild card or coming through qualifying to play at Wimbledon.
She is likely to be handed direct entry but must wait until the All England Club makes its decision on June 20.
“I haven’t heard anything yet,” she said. “I won’t even know next week. “I want one, but I haven’t heard.”
The British No 2 has recently dropped down to the ITF circuit – a level below the WTA Tour – with some success, and hopes to continuing building up her form over the next few weeks.
“It was a tough match. I knew it would be – she loves grass,” Watson said. “Alison was very solid and playing very well. But I just have to stay positive. I played well last week.
“I feel good with my game. I feel like I am getting back on track. I am excited for the grass. I didn’t really enjoy the clay.
“I was coming here confident and wanted to keep my momentum going.”
In Stuttgart veteran Tommy Haas secured a second-round Mercedes Cup clash against top seed Roger Federer.
The 39-year-old German, currently ranked 302, came through against Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-3 4-6 7-5 to set up a showdown with the Swiss, who received a bye.
Australian Bernard Tomic saw off Stephane Robert of France 6-1 5-7 6-2 and will next play No 3 seed Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic.
At the Ricoh Open in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Janko Tipsarevic battled past Yuichi Sugita of Japan 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 6-0 to book a second round match against top seed Marin Cilic.