Johanna Konta in the second round of the 2021 Miami Open, Florida, USA
Johanna Konta in the second round of the 2021 Miami Open, Florida, USA | (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Tennis | WTA Madrid | Johanna Konta [15] v Yulia Putintseva | R1 Preview & Prediction

  • Johanna Konta [15] v Yulia Putintseva
  • H2H: Konta leads 3-1
MADRID, SPAIN – Johanna Konta returns to action in Madrid where she faces Yulia Putintseva in the first round.

 

[table “ADPDAll” not found /]

 

Johanna Konta [15] v Yulia Putintseva H2H & Match Fundamentals

Embed from Getty Images

Johanna Konta [15] v Yulia Putintseva H2H: Konta leads 3-1
WTA Madrid Madrid, Spain
Clay (O) Prize Money: €12,655
Second on Stadium 3, not before 12:30pm (11:30am BST) Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial

 

British No. 1 Johanna Konta takes to the court again for the first time in a month in what has been a stuttering start to the year. No back-to-back wins to her name, she opted not to do Fed Cup in order to prepare for clay, but the altitude may play into her hands in Madrid.

Ironically two of her wins against Yulia Putintseva have come on clay.

 

Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2021)

Embed from Getty Images

H2H: Johanna Konta [15] (WR 18) Yulia Putintseva (30)
Tournament Previous Best R2 (2018, 2019) R3 (2019)
1st Serve Return Points Won % 33.8 38.3
Return Points Won % 39.9 42.7
Break Point Conversion % 45.5 37.8
Break Points Saved % 57.9 53.2
Total Points Won % 48.3 50.7

 

Putintseva has played far more than Konta, including reaching the quarter-finals of Charleston, but even allowing for the lack of time on court, Konta has been more effective at taking her break point chances and getting out of trouble when facing break points on her own serve.

 

Browse the Britwatch Sports Amazon Page for our latest Tennis equipment recommendations

 

Playing Styles

If both players are on form we will be in for some very aggressive play, at altitude where the balls fizz along, and add together Putintseva’s feistiness and it could be a treat.

For all the antics, Putintseva mixes patience with aggression but can lose the plot when things get inder her skin.

The real test will be for Konta’s knee on clay – and with very little match play, and perhaps a lack of confidence to boot, she will need to have more controlled aggression on the Madrid courts.

 

Prediction

This is a tricky one to call. On past record, you would think the Brit would walk it, but there is bound to be rust, on probably the worst surface to come in on, under-cooked.

Prediction: Konta in three sets.

 

 

How to Watch/Follow WTA Madrid

Live Stream Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial
Live Scores Tennis Live Scores on Britwatch Sports

 

Support Britwatch – Sign up to PBLC for free to support ongoing contributions from Britwatch Sports