JO’S RECIPE FOR GLORY IS COOKING

ANNE KEOTHAVONG believes it is far too early to call last orders on British hopes at Wimbledon – not least if Johanna Konta has been cooking up something special for this afternoon.

While Nick Kyrgios was dispatched by Rafa Nadal after spending the night before at the Dog and Fox, the Great Britain Fed Cup captain believes Konta has been getting her pre-match preparation just right.

“Different things work for different players,” said Keothavong, below. “Nick likes to go down the pub, Jo likes to go home and spend time with her boyfriend and her dog. There’s not one rule that fits all. For Jo she has her routine, she lives nearby, she has her home comforts.

She’s got good people around her.

“She might even be baking today, so you might get something special tomorrow.”

Konta’s run in 2017 stretched all the way to the semi-final but Keothavong, who has worked closely with the 28-year-old while on Fed Cup duty, feels her game is less predictable. “We are seeing a more rounded tennis player in Jo, who is not afraid to try more things,” said Keothavong at ‘Middle Sunday Opened Up’, a free community tennis festival run by the AELTC, LTA and Merton Council.

“She is using the slice and drop shot a lot more. She is open to trying new things and it has paid off for her.

“Petra won’t be an easy opponent – we all know how dangerous she is on a grass court. But Jo is in good form, feeling confident and will have plenty of support out there. Hopefully that will help her.”