Tennis

Johanna Konta powered past qualifier Bernarda Pera 7-6, 6-1 in the first round of the Qatar Open yesterday to avenge her surprise defeat by the American in the Australian Open last month. The British No 1 was broken in the 11th game of the first set but took the contest into a tie-break, which she edged. She switched gears in the second set to seal the victory in an hour and 28 minutes. Meanwhile, Britain’s Fed Cup team have been drawn away to Japan in the World Group II play-offs in April.