Konta bounces back in Qatar
JOHANNA KONTA has avenged her shock Australian Open loss by defeating American Bernarda Pera in the opening round of the Qatar Open. Pera stunned Konta in the second round in Melbourne last month, but yesterday in Doha the world No11 survived a shaky first set to eventually win 7-6, 6-1. “That was a good challenge for me, and I’m just excited I get to play again,” Konta said. “I’m very happy to have fought through that and dealt with the quick turnaround coming here from Fed Cup as well.”
Konta last week helped Great Britain to victories over Estonia, Portugal and Hungary, booking a World Group II play-off against Japan in April. It is the fourth time in seven years Britain have reached this stage but, like the previous three occasions, they must again travel for the tie.
The good news for Konta and her team is that Japan possess a significantly weaker side than the Romanian one which knocked Britain out at the same stage last season in a tie totally overshadowed by captain Ilie Nastase’s shocking behaviour. Nao Hibino, ranked 90th, and world No102 Kurumi Nara were the singles players in Japan’s Asia/Oceania Zone play-off victory last weekend, although they could have 50thranked Naomi Osaka available in April.
Konta will be joined by Heather Watson, the world No74.
KYLE EDMUND was forced to pull out of this week’s Argentina Open in Buenos Aires due to a throat infection.