Wozniacki battles back to sink Konta at Eastbourne

JOHANNA Konta went out of the Nature Valley International after losing to world number two Caroline Wozniacki in the third round at Eastbourne.

The 27-year-old made a promising start but her preparations for Wimbledon, which begins on Monday, were undermined when she lost 4-6 6-1 6-4 in two hours and 10 minutes.

Playing in her home town and against an opponent whose natural strengths are not suited to competing on grass, Konta made an impressive start.

She broke Wozniacki in the very first game and then went 2-0 up to build a sense of momentum.

Even when she dropped a serve to allow the Dane to move level at 3-3, she immediately responded by breaking her again and then closing out the set.

During Tuesday’s victory over Aleksandra Krunic there were hints of the inconsistency that would undermine her in the second set against Wozniacki, which followed a period in which she had been fortunate not to be punished.

Konta had hinted this week at plans to play with greater aggression but it was that which began to undermine her when Wozniacki capitalised on her coming to the net.

After avoiding dropping the opening game on her serve, the Dane performed clinically, was gifted a further break when Konta sent a forehand long and then converted a fifth break point to secure the set.

The Briton’s frustration grew at the same rate she appeared to be losing her confidence.

Konta increasingly attempted to force play, which particularly suited Wozniacki with the short ball and contributed to unforced errors.

She held at 0-40 down to move to 3-4, but eventually proved incapable of resisting when, for the fifth time this year, she lost to one of the world’s leading players despite taking the first set.