Henman believes consistency is key for Konta

British number one Johanna Konta should not feel she needs to play “perfect tennis” to make an impact at the US Open, according to Tim Henman.

Konta, the world number 15, continued her build up to the Grand Slam event with a 6-4 6-2 win against Vera Zvonareva to reach the quarterfinals of the Western & Southern Open in New York.

The 29-year-old has been back in action just a fortnight after needing medical help during a first-round exit at the Lexington Open which was her first competitive match since lockdown began in March.

Henman, who is part of Amazon

Prime Video’s exclusive coverage of the US Open, believes if Konta focuses on her all-round strengths, then the Briton can make real progress in the main draw at Flushing Meadows.

“She did not have a particularly good start to the year, and therefore with this extended break you can almost wipe the slate clean and say: ‘OK, we start again,” Henman said.

“She is in a new coaching relationship with Thomas Hogstedt and has been impressive with the way she has been playing

“With Jo, at times it seems it is slightly ‘all or nothing’. What she has got to understand is that she doesn’t need to play perfect tennis because she has got such a good game.

“If she is solid and plays at seven and a half or eight out of 10, then it is going to be good enough to beat a lot of players.

“Against the very top ones, she will need to up her game. But to bring that consistency, if she can maintain those levels for long periods, then I can’t see any reason why she can’t be back in the top 10.”

Defending women’s champion Bianca Andreescu has opted not to travel to the Grand Slam event, while the world’s top two leading women players Ashleigh Barty and Simona Halep have also decided against competing.