Johanna Konta, the British Number one, who had an amazing end to the 2015 season, has started the 2016 season in the same manner. At the end of last season the Brit had faced three top ten players and had defeated them all. The most impressive was in Wuhan where she over came the #WR2 Simona Halep. In what was the biggest win of her career Konta was able to go into the off season full of confidence.
Moving to the Australian Open where the Brit had drawn the eighth seed Venus Williams. Williams was the player that ended the run of Konta in Wuhan. The Brit was in impressive form as she moved the American around the court and was up 5-2 in the first set, before the American found a way back into the set. However the Brit was not going away and took the set 6-4. The second was just as impressive as the Brit was then up 5-0 and served for a bagel. Williams again got back into the match to win two games on the trot, before Konta served for the match a second time. There was no stopping her this time as Konta sealed the match 6-2 to take her fourth top ten scalp.
In round 2 Konta rolled past Saisai Zheng 6-2 6-3 in less than an hour and a half. Her sharp performance highlighted by crisp early breaks in both sets.
The Brit has a mind coach who was guiding her through the end of last season and so far the start of this year. The mind coach appears to be helping Konta over any block she may have had before. As playing a top ten player is always going to be nervous. The Brit refused to give in and plays most of the matches the same way.
How far can she go?
If the Brit can keep playing the way she does then Konta will soon be rising up the rankings and into the top 30. The Brit is currently ranked #40 in the live rankings as from today, there is no reason to believe she cannot rise even further. Will Konta win a title this year, keeping fit and playing tournaments on ranking alone, no need to play qualifying will certainly offer every opportunity. The higher up the rankings Konta can reach the better her draw at events. Finding herself seeded at WTA events can surely not be too long coming. This will certainly help with other Grand Slams this year if the Brit can get into the top 30.
The British #1 is certainly on the way up, Konta will not be far from breaking into the top 30, with the performances lately this is entirely possible. The Brit will need to work on serving sets and matches out but with the double or triple safety breaks has more opportunities to do so. Impressive tennis and angles from Konta will certainly boost her confidence more, believe that you can beat anyone and you usually can, or at least get close. Plan the right strategy but be willing to change tactics if it is not working, keep consistent and the results come.
The future is looking bright for women’s tennis in Britain, with Konta and Heather Watson being the highest ranked ladies in Britain, Watson is WR#83, that is two in the top 90 – with more wins and matches both can push up the rankings to the top 30 even top 20. With Konta and Watson as role models more girls will have a British player to look up to and be inspired by.
Konta can go a long way
Main Photo:
