Tuesday 30 August 2016 15:03, UK
Johanna Konta defeated Bethanie Mattek-Sands to cruise into the second round of the US Open.
The British number one won 6-3 6-3 against Mattek-Sands, who was celebrating a mixed doubles Olympic gold medal only two weeks ago, to book a clash with former Wimbledon semi-finalist Tsvetana Pironkova.
Flushing Meadows was where Konta enjoyed her breakthrough run 12 months ago, reaching the fourth round when she had previously managed just one grand slam victory in her whole career.
She has shot up the rankings since, from 97th to 16th, and a semi-final at the Australian Open in January has many predicting a renewed challenge on the hard courts here.
"It's definitely never easy coming out for a first round of a slam, especially against Bethanie, coming off a gold medal," Konta said.
"I knew she would be inspired and feed off the atmosphere. Thank you to everyone who stayed and supported us.
"It's pretty exciting to play in here, it's a shame we weren't the first, but it's pretty special, the whole venue."
Konta started with an ace before Mattek-Sands framed a return into the stands, the ball bouncing through three empty rows before eventually being retrieved.
A break for 2-1 put the Briton in command and she was happy to meet Mattek-Sands' varied game head on, once luring her opponent in with a drop-shot before volleying into an empty court.
Two sumptuous returns were enough to break again and seal the opening set, and she pulled ahead in the second too, another break putting her 3-1 in front.
Mattek-Sands served and volleyed in a bid to turn the tide and she threatened a comeback, opening up three break points at 4-2.
Konta, however, saved them all and then served out, a backhand winner sealing a convincing victory in one hour and 22 minutes.
Pironkova, under-rated at 71 in the world, will offer a sterner test but, in this form, the Briton will be confident of going through.
"She's a great player, been highly ranked," Konta said. "Her tennis level is very, very good. She has a lot of experience. In terms of specifics, I'll have to talk to my coach."
