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Konta v Kovinic Miami Open R2 Preview

Ros Satar
Tennis

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By Ros Satar

  • Johanna Konta [24] v Danka Kovinic – H2H: Kovinic leads 1-0

MIAMI, USA – Johanna Konta will want to keep up with British No. 2 Heather Watson’s progress as she bids to join her in the third round of the Miami Open.

Benefitting from a bye in the opening round, Konta came off a good run in Indian Wells, where she lost a tough three setter against Karolina Pliskova. Ever the optimist, she admitted that while feeling a bit bruised by the loss, having left it all out there on the court, she could still find positives to work on.

There is no doubt that this Konta is very much improved from the version that Danka Kovinic beat on clay in Budapest three years ago, although of course Kovinic has the advantage of having got a match under her belt, beating Denisa Allertova in a tight two setter.

That is certainly not to say that Kovinc is not a threat. She finished just inside the Top 60 last year, aided and abetted with a run to the Tianjin final, where she finished as the runner-up behind Agnieszka Radwanska.

Generally seen as a young rising star, she has an aggressive game style and will likely be able to go toe-to-toe with Konta’s heavy serve and powerful forehand.

The change in Konta since summer last year though is going to be a tough nut to crack. Admittedly as a seed with a bye, the pressure will be on the British No. 1 to come through as per her seeding, but one thing that has been ecident this year is Konta’s calmness under pressure.

She has come through some extremely tough matches since the turn of this year, and although she will be considered the favourite, this could be quite a tough encounter.

It would not be a surprise if this went the distance in her first match for quite a few days, having had her departure for Miami delayed down to hotel availability!

Prediction: Konta in three sets.

Konta and Kovinic are scheduled on Court 1, not before 5pm (9pm GMT).