Johanna Konta of Britain made a successful start for her this year’s season as she defeated the third seed of the tournament America’s Sloane Stephens in straight sets to claim the victory.
Konta last season was riddled with many patchy performances but she began the 2019’s season with a bang as she outclassed the former US Open champion and world no. 6 Sloane to gain a 6-4 and 6-3 victory in the first round.
Konta after the match said, “She is world top ten rankings and had an incredible season last year. I definitely took a great lot of good things from her and earned myself a bit of pat on my back for the fact that I played well against one of the best players in the world and I came through it winning”.
Konta is now set to face Alga Tomljanovic for a place in the quarterfinals. Tomljanovic came through the first round after defeating her Czech opponent, Katerina Siniakova by 1-6, 6-3 and 6-0.
As for the reigning US Open Champion, Naomi Osaka, she defeated the local qualifier Destanee Aiava.
Osaka hit nine aces during the match to gain the victory by 6-3 and 6-2.
21 years old Osaka said to media, “I felt like I was playing against a younger version of me. I think that while playing, she sort of matched my power which really came as a surprise to me as there are not many people who can manage that.”
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