French Open 2019: Johanna Konta Advances To The Second Round For The First Time

British number one Johanna Konta says she stopped "thinking too much" about the victory that sent her to the second round of the French Open for the first time.

Konta, planted in the 26th place, won 6-4 6-4 against the number 147 of the German world Antonia Lottner.

"Obviously, it's good to have won a main draw match here," said the 28-year-old. "But I've never doubted my ability on the surface."

Konta took her first starting point when Lottner could not return a backhand stroke, setting up a second-round match against American wildcard Lauren Davis.

The former Wimbledon semifinalist is the first Briton at Roland Garros, with the number one man, Kyle Edmund, who will meet with Frenchman Jeremy Chardy later on Monday.

Konta, who won the qualifying matches at Roland Garros in 2013 and 2014, said her sterile main race had not played in her mind.

However, the importance of finally overcoming the line against Lottner, classified in the 121 places below and making her debut at Roland Garros, was very clear.

"It is in human nature to have doubts and negative thoughts, there are many statistics about that, that we have more negative thoughts than positive ones," she said.

"But I think it was more about me trusting my habits, it gave me the space to lose myself and the space to play."

On paper, it should have been a formality given the excellent 28-year-old clay court season that leads to the second Grand Slam of the year.

Konta reached the WTA finals at the Morocco Open and the most prestigious Rome Masters, accumulating victories against Grand Slam champions Sloane Stephens and Venus Williams, as well as world number four Kiki Bertens, along the way.

The rediscovery of a powerful first service has been key to its recent success, although it abandoned the British in a strange series of openings where there were seven service interruptions.

A percentage of first service below 62% was further hampered by winning only 56% of these points, although it was unimportant because the service is equally erratic at the other extreme. The second set was completely contrasting.

In addition to the fact that Konta could not convert two break points for a 3-1 advantage, they were rarely offered, as both players regained their composure in their service games.

Out of nowhere, Lottner racked up a couple of break points for a 5-4 lead, only for the former world number four Konta to save them with a great first serve followed by a backhand winner.

Lottner saw another opportunity disappear with an unforced error and it was vital when Konta, backed by strong British support in Paris, remained before winning the victory in what turned out to be the final game.

"I had to trust myself to give myself some opportunities, my opponent was difficult because she did not give him much rhythm," added Konta.

"There was a lot of time to think, or think too much, but I did a good job of not doing that."

Analysis

As good as Johanna Konta has been playing on the ground this year, four previous Roland Garros losses in the first round had to play in her mind.

She was not very fluent in service, and broke three times in the first set.

But when the chips fell, and Konta faced two break points to 4-4 in the second set, her resolve strengthened, and she soon returned to the locker room.

Lauren Davis, who is currently out of the top 100 in the world, is ahead in a match of the second round. But the 25-year-old is in the draw because of recent clay performances, which earned him the wild card reserved for an American player.

By: Preeti Narula

Content: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/48423102