Can fired-up Jo stretch to another big run Down Under?
JO KONTA can open the way for another deep run at the Australian Open by extending her winning record over 2017’s Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza. The British No 1 takes on the powerful Spaniard in round two after following Katie Boulter by coming through one of the new first-to-10 tiebreaks for deciding sets in operation this year. By beating Ajla Tomljanovic 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 7-6 (10-7) she has earned a shot at world No 18 Muguruza, over whom she holds a 2-1 advantage in match wins. Boulter and Dan Evans were due to be in action overnight, taking on No 11 seed Aryna Sabalenka and Roger Federer respectively. Muguruza, who Konta upset at the 2015 US Open after her first run to a Wimbledon final, has struggled by her own high standards in the past year, but the British player tried to play down expectations. ‘For someone to win two Grand Slam titles, as she has, you have to be a heck of a player,’ said Konta. ‘I don’t think going on court against anyone you underestimate them, and especially not someone like her. I don’t think she is vulnerable.’ Konta last beat her in steaming temperatures over three hours and 23 minutes at the US Open three years ago and the mercury is expected to be up for this match as well. ‘It helps that I spent my first 14 years here,’ admitted Konta. ‘I sort of relax into the heat.’ Serena Williams will now face a resurgent Eugenie Bouchard on her return to Grand Slam action. She took only 49 minutes to beat fellow mother Tatjana Maria 6-0, 6-2, with a lack of drama that was in stark contrast to when she last played, in the US Open final, and nearly got disqualified for her aggressive behaviour. TV & radio: Australian Open is LIVE on Eurosport 1 & 2 and on BBC 5Live Sports Extra.