Konta is big contender for US Open title, says Croft

Annabel Croft rates Johanna Konta as a “major contender” for the US Open title.

With Andy Murray out of the tournament, British hopes in New York predominantly lie with the British women’s No 1 one and world No 7.

Konta is one of a remarkable eight women who could end the tournament at the top of the rankings.

It would take an unlikely series of results for that to happen but Konta lifting the trophy would perhaps not be the most surprising.

The 26-year-old has already made two grand slam semifinals, handling the pressure of expectation at her home tournament at Wimbledon last month superbly before losing to Venus Williams in the last four.

Hard courts are a better surface for Konta than grass and Flushing Meadows was where she made her big breakthrough two years ago with a run to the fourth round.

Former British No 1 Croft is a big admirer. She said: “Jo brings out such a high intensity every time she’s on the court.

“She makes players have to play at such a high level to beat her because of that almost machine-like application to what she’s doing. Even the way she walks is very purposeful and she gives off a lot of positive energy.

“She’s really mentally tough and it’s going to take somebody really good to beat her, that’s for sure. There are very few weaknesses and she’s definitely a major contender for the title.”

With Serena Williams, due to give birth any day, absent since the Australian Open, it has been the most open season in living memory in women’s tennis.

Konta opens her campaign today against Serbian Aleksandra Krunic, while Heather Watson, takes on unpredictable Frenchwoman Alize Cornet.

Watson said: “I’m so excited. I am feeling really good about my game at the moment. I’ve been in Florida for the last week so I’m feeling super-fit because it’s so hot there.”

Johanna Konta is in action today against Aleksandra Kruni.