Dog’s life for Konta who seeks comfort from Bono after yet another early Edgbaston exit

A visit from her beloved dachshund Bono helped Johanna Konta recover from the disappointment of yet another early defeat at the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham.

Konta has now failed to make it past the second round on seven visits to Edgbaston Priory, this time going down 6-3, 6-4 to former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.

Ostapenko has had a dreadful season but loves playing on grass and Konta cut a frustrated figure as the Latvian’s power game fired throughout. But the British No 1 was all smiles as she walked into her post-match press conference carrying 10-month-old Bono, who was making his tournament debut having been brought up from their home in London by Konta’s boyfriend Jackson Wade.

Asked how she overcomes losses, Konta said: “I just look at my dog. I think anyone who is struggling, just take a look at that face and you probably will do a little better.”

This was undoubtedly a disappointing loss for Konta, though, given her superb run to the French Open semifinals and the strong start she made here against Anett Kontaveit on Monday.

French Open champion Ashleigh Barty had no problem adjusting quickly to the grass and continued her winning run with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Nottingham finalist Donna Vekic. Barty could become world No 1 this week if Naomi Osaka loses before the final.

Venus Williams marked her debut in Birmingham with a 6-3, 6-4 win against Aliaksandra Sasnovich.