Consolation for defeated Konta as she heads for Melbourne injury-free

Johanna Konta saw her Sydney International title defence swiftly ended as she lost to Agnieszka Radwanska in the first round.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Jan 2018, 17:08 BST
Updated 9th Jan 2018, 17:10 BST
Johanna Konta. Picture: John Walton/PAJohanna Konta. Picture: John Walton/PA
Johanna Konta. Picture: John Walton/PA

A surprising slide in the rankings to 28th meant former world No 2 Radwanska entered this week as an unseeded player, but she showed her quality in a 6-3 7-5 victory over British hope Konta.

In a repeat of last year’s final match-up, fourth seed Konta could not take control of the contest against Poland’s former Wimbledon runner-up.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Consolation for Konta came with the fact she completed the match without obvious physical problems, five days after being forced to retire from her Brisbane International quarter-final with Elina Svitolina due to injury.

She heads for Melbourne and the Australian Open, where 12 months ago she reached the quarter-finals, while Radwanska stays in Sydney and faces American teenager CiCi Bellis.

At the Hobart International, defending champion Elise Mertens was a 6-4 6-4 winner against Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Australian teenager Alex de Minaur continued his eye-catching start to the year by beating former top-10 player Fernando Verdasco 6-4 6-2 at the Sydney International.

Former British No 2 Aljaz Bedene, who reverted nationality to his native Slovenian during the close season, lost 1-6 7-6 (7/5) 6-3 to French player Benoit Paire.