US Open: Jo Konta eases past Bethanie Mattek-Sands in straight sets in first round in New York

JO KONTA had no need for grandstanding and performed like her same old self on the US Open’s brand new court.

Konta was thoroughly professional in a straightforward 6-3 6-3 win over Bethanie Mattek-Sands in what had the potential to be a tricky opening round match.

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The new Grandstand arena, the Billy Jean King Tennis Centre’s answer to Number Two Court at Wimbledon, was impressive in every way apart from the size of the crowd for the evening match.

But the British No 1 showed those who were there why she has come so far in the year since she had to qualify for the main draw in New York.

Konta said: “It’s never easy coming out for a first round match at a Slam, especially against Bethanie when she is coming off winning a gold medal.

“I knew she would be inspired. I really had to take care of things my end.”

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And she did, gaining a little revenge for the defeat inflicted on her and Jamie Murray by Mattek-Sands and Jack Sock on their way to mixed doubles glory in Rio.

Konta’s opponent just couldn’t cope with the relentless depth and power of her hitting. The only really blip came in the penultimate game when the Brit had to save four break points to earn the right to serve it out.

Konta has plenty to do to match last year’s run to the fourth round after being put in the toughest quarter of the women’s draw.

Her second-round opponent on Wednesday will be Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova, who made the quarter finals of the French Open this year and is a former semi-finalist at Wimbledon.