Konta well prepared to handle high hopes

THE tennis commentariat have been in overdrive this week about Jo Konta, a sign of her elevated status in the game now that Wimbledon is here. Along with the praise for her tennis, there has been a theme to their appraisals, which could be summed up by what ESPN’s Chris Evert became the latest to say: ‘It all depends on Konta’s nerves, how she’s going to play.’ We will find out a lot this afternoon, when Britain’s highest seed since Jo Durie takes on Su-Wei Hsieh of Taiwan on Court No 1 in a French Open first-round rematch. Playing on the main court at Roland Garros, Konta was outsmarted and beaten by Hsieh who, despite a modest ranking of 113, will provide a decent test again, even assuming that the No 6 seed is fully fit. It was not just pressure displacement when Konta said yesterday: ‘I know she enjoys the grass, she’s a Wimbledon doubles champion. ‘Actually, the first time I played her I lost to her on grass. I know she will be playing comfortably on this surface but I’d like to think that I’m better prepared.’ Konta (right) will come in bolstered by the fact that her last match, prior to pulling out of Eastbourne’s semi-finals with a sore upper back, was a victory in straight sets over world No 1 Angelique Kerber, even though that comes with an asterisk these days due to the German’s form. But will she be able to handle the pressure that comes with trying to become an unlikely successor to Virginia Wade 40 years on? ‘I guess because my expectations continue to be my own, continue to be what I judge myself on, in that sense not much has changed,’ she said. ‘But I know there’s more attention and more interest in my performance. But that’s also a good thing, it means we are talking more about women’s tennis. Overall I’m coming into Wimbledon with some great time on the grass. That doesn’t guarantee results but I’ve prepared the best I can.’ A decent Wimbledon is a rare shortfall in her CV these days, and the question will continue to be asked until she has a decent run at SW19. Konta is one of four British women playing today, and hopes will be high that she is not a solitary success if she wins. If Heather Watson reproduces her semi-final form of Eastbourne, she should beat Maryna Zanevska. Laura Robson is seeking her first win at Wimbledon since making the fourth round in 2013, and will see a decent chance against Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia. Naomi Broady has a more difficult task against Irina Camelia Begu. The reality remains that Konta is currently the only GB woman in the top 100, making her more isolated than Andy Murray.