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Johanna Konta wins on her Stanford debut

Jake Davies
Tennis

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By Jake Davies

  • Johanna Konta [3] defeats Julia Boserup [WC] 6-3 6-1
  • Konta sets up a Quarter-Final match against Saisai Zheng

STANFORD, CALIFORNIA USA – British No. 1 Johanna Konta started her Standofrd campaign with a convincing win over American Wildcard Julia Bosreup.

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Johanna Konta [3] defeats Julia Boserup [WC] 6-3 6-1

On her Stanford debut, British No.1 Konta played some of her most effective tennis as she comfortably beat her American opponent in a straight sets win at the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford.

Konta had played Boserup on three separate occasions in the past, but this was the first time Boserup would face the new and improved Konta of the last twelve months.

In the early exchanges between the two players it was increasingly noticeable that Boserup floundered around the baseline when Konta deliberately tried to take time away from her opponent. Boserup, who experienced her best showing at a grand slam at this year’s Wimbledon, notoriously enjoys stepping inside the baseline and dictating the rally with an explosive forehand.

Konta broke the Boserup serve in the second game of this encounter, as the World No.144 served two costly double faults that surrendered her service game. Konta continued to strike the ball relentlessly and directed most of the traffic towards Boserup’s backhand as a ploy of forcing more unforced errors.

The Brit’s tactics were working to perfection and she looked in perfect form until she served for the set at *5-1. Three double faults and an uncharacteristic unforced error was enough to give Boserup a glimmer of hope as she broke Konta’s serve for the first time.

At *5-3, Konta delivered two aces in succession to seal the first set and she did not look back from there. The time and commitment that Konta has dedicated towards her tennis off the court definitely has made a tremendous impact on her on-court results. She backs herself during long rallies because of the consistency of her ground strokes, but can also generate pace from the baseline when required.

Konta’s ability to hit with depth and pace towards the backhand of Boserup really changed the outcome of the match. Boserup lost the battle from the baseline as Konta raised her arms aloft in jubilation – winning comprehensively in straight sets.

Konta will now face China’s Saisai Zheng in the Bank of the West Classic Quarter-Final. It should be a very different challenge for the Brit. Zheng is renowned for her variation of defensive shots and her coverage on the baseline, while Boserup looks to finish points very quickly.