Thursday 1 October 2015

Konta has potential to win a Grand Slam

Johanna Konta has achieved British Number one spot and it could be the start of something very special.

The US Open this summer for our female British hopefuls was highlighting the usual duo of Heather Watson and Laura Robson. This is despite Robson being no where near scratching the surface of the top 100 rankings.

Then you hear the name Johanna Konta representing the Union Jack, a name not to be familiar with in the flushing crowd. To make a name for yourself in tennis, it takes a hard fought run in a major tournament or overcoming a name who has millions of fans following every movement.

The 24-year-old ticked both boxes by reaching the third round, further than Watson and Robson, and defeating seeds Garbine Muguruza before Andrea Petkovic. Take a bow.
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Konta's US Open run


1st qualifying round: bt Reka-Luca Jani (HUN) - 7-5, 6-4
2nd qualifying round: bt Naomi Osaka (JPN) - 6-4, 6-4
3rd qualifying round: bt Tamira Paszek (AUT) - 6-4, 3-6, 6-2

1st round: bt Louisa Chirico (USA) - 6-3, 6-0
2nd round: bt Garbine Muguruza (ESP) - 7-6, 6-7, 6-2
3rd round: bt Andrea Petkovic (GER) - 7-6, 6-3
4th round: lost to Petra Kvitova (CZE) - 5-7, 3-6
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The run ended from Petra Kvitova, a two time Grand Slam champion, which in Konta's eyes is a learning curve.

With Konta still learning the ropes, she could only get better by aiming to reach further rounds in Grand Slams and WTA tournaments. There is a real killing attitude in Konta's performances as she has no fear and is giving it a really good go.

While writing this opinion piece Konta has broken serve on Victoria Azarenka, a two time Australian Open champion, in the first game at the Wuhan Open. Johanna, stop it.

Since Wimbledon, Konta has only conceded one defeat and has come out on top 19 times so there is no wonder why this promising up comer has climbed up the ladder in the WTA rankings and to now be the best Britain can offer on the courts.

What is going on with Watson and Robson?


In the last three years or so, Watson and Robson were the faces of promise. They have been the country's hope of conquering a Grand Slam or two since Virginia Wade was the last to achieve.

But those plans are not going in the right direction, yes we saw Watson go the distance at Wimbledon coming very close to kicking Serena Williams off the mark but 2015 is not enough evidence to back her.

Another British hopeful who has taken more than a mile step back is Robson. The 21-year-old has been struggling with injuries which took her down to 951st spot at one point but has gone up by 563 places.

You could say there is less pressure on Robson's shoulders when you consider her being the youngest out of the three players. With the remaining weeks of the season left this year, it is a two horse race between Watson and Konta for the precious British No. 1 spot. Watson has to prove she is the best and with this change she will feel more determined to take up this challenge.
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British rankings
1) Johanna Konta (WTA: 66)
2) Heather Watson (WTA: 60)
3) Laura Robson (WTA: 539)

As of Monday October 5
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From our Blogger Jamie Davies (@JamieODavies)

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