International Sport

Konta flows to halt Venus progress in Melbourne

Image: Britain’s Johanna Konta hits a shot during her first round match against Venus Williams of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 19, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Venus Williams’s dreams of winning a first Australian Open title at the age of 35 were shattered on Tuesday when she was beaten 6-4 6-2 in the first round by British number one Johanna Konta.

The seven-times grand slam champion was named WTA comeback player of the year in 2015 when she won’three titles to move back into the top 10 in the rankings but her hopes of going one better than her final appearance in 2003 were soon dashed.

The eighth seeded American struggled to get a foothold in the match against her Australia-born opponent in the heat of Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday, however, and crashed out in 79 minutes.

Williams showed glimpses of her best tennis to rally from 5-0 to 5-2 in the second set but it only delayed the inevitable and 24-year-old Konta secured the upset when the former world number one netted a return.

(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by John O’Brien)

Copyright 2015 Thomson Reuters. Click for Restrictions.

Related posts

Boxing Bagged 8 Goals for PNG

EMTV Online

XV Pacific Games Opening Ceremony | Port Moresby

EMTV Online

Mob Violence Against Palestinians in Israel Is Fueled by Groups on WhatsApp

EMTV Online

Leave a Comment

error: Content is protected !!