Konta begins 2018 in winning style

British No 1 Johanna Konta got the taste for victory again as she began 2018 with an impressive win over Madison Keys at the Brisbane International.

Konta had a dreadful end to the 2017 season, not winning since August and suffering from injury, but she put that right on the opening day of the new year with a come-from-behind 4-6 6-4 6-3 success over the American.

Heather Watson, however, is out after a straight sets defeat to Anett Kontaveit, going down 6-0 6-3.

Watson was only playing in the first-round match after gaining a lucky loser place following her defeat in qualifying.

World No 6 Elina Svitolina enjoyed a comfortable outing against Carla Suarez Navarro, winning 6-2 6-4, but Kristina Mladenovic is out after losing 1-6 6-3 7-5 to Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

Home favourite Ashleigh Barty also departed as she was beaten 6-4 6-2 by Lesia Tsurenko.

World No 1 Simona Halep began 2018 in fine form at the Shenzhen Open.

The Romanian, who ended 2017 on top of the rankings, beat American Naomi Gibbs 6-4 6-1 and looked in good fettle as she builds up to this month’s Australian Open, where she will aim for her maiden grand slam.

Maria Sharapova also kicked off her year with an easy win, dropping just three games in a 6-3 6-0 triumph over Mihaela Buzarnescu.