Konta joy as her idol Williams becomes latest scalp

Konta, who was born in Sydney and represented Australia until 2012, returned to the same court where she practised as a youngster to beat Williams 6-4 6-2.

While the American was making her 16th appearance in the Australian Open main draw, this was Konta’s first, but it was the Briton who was in control for all of the one hour and 19 minutes in Rod Laver Arena.

Williams, now 35, was jaded and far from her assertive best, but this was no one-off for Konta, who adds the seven-time major champion to a growing list of top-20 scalps that also includes Simona Halep, Garbine Muguruza, Elena Makarova and Andea Petkovic.

“I have all the respect in the world for Venus. I was just really enjoying my time out there,” said Konta, who will play China’s Saisai Zheng in round two.

“I think it would be silly to look at Venus’s age and somehow consider that as a reflection of her level.

“I think it’s irrelevant how old she is because she’s such a champion with so much experience and so much knowledge about the game.

“Even if she’s playing with one leg out there, you’ve got to really take care of things on your own because she’s an incredible player.”

Konta wrapped up the first set in 41 minutes before storming into a 5-0 lead in the second.

A late wobble, which used to be a regular feature of her game, made the score respectable, but there was to be no comeback for Williams as Konta finally served out.

“Obviously there are nerves, and also the nerves of the many thousand people around you, which is impossible not to feel either,” said Konta.

“So I was just really focusing on my breathing and just trying to stay very present because it’s never over until you’re shaking hands.”

Konta reached the last 16 of a grand slam for the first time in 2015 when – ranked 97 in the world – she knocked out seeded pair Garbine Muguruza and Andrea Petkovic en route to the fourth round of the US Open, where she lost to two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.

Konta is Britain’s lone female left in the women’s draw after Heather Watson’s defeat on Monday, and one of two overall, joining Andy Murray in the last 64.

Murray’s opponent Alexander Zverev is one of the most talented youngsters currently on the tour, but the two-time grand slam 
champion and four-time Australian Open finalist made the teenager look his age during a one-sided contest in Margaret Court Arena.

A chastening first set, in which Zverev suffered a nose bleed in the second game, whizzed by in 35 minutes and it was not until the third that the world No 83 mounted any sort of resistance.

Murray, who next faces big-serving Australian Sam Groth in round two, was satisfied with his opening performance.

“He’s young, he’s one of the best young players in the world and he’s going to be around for a long time,” said Murray.

“It got tough at the end, a lot of long games and rallies; Alex fought through to the end and made it very competitive.

“It was hot conditions, especially when the clouds went, so I was glad to get it done in three sets.”

Aljaz Bedene, Britain’s No 2 who has switched nationality from Slovenia, lost 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7/3) to America’s Steve Johnson while qualifier Dan Evans was also beaten in straight sets, defeated 6-1 6-0 6-4 by Feliciano Lopez, the eighth seed from Spain.

Bedene, ranked 49th in the world, said he found the speed of the courts difficult to handle.

“I didn’t really settle. It was way too quick for my game,” said Bedene. “I don’t really like the quick surfaces like they are here. I am disappointed.”

Evans was more upbeat, the 25-year-old having come through qualifying to make his first appearance in the tournament’s main draw.

“Leaving here is all positive I think,” said Evans.

“I just didn’t get my game out, but it’s one day out of however many I have been away from home, training every day and practising well.

“I wasn’t holding serve, I was getting nowhere near his serves. It was just a bit of a step up in 
level. It was a bit of a learning curve.”

Joining Murray in the second round are Spain’s David Ferrer, Canada’s Milos Raonic and Frenchman Gael Monfils and the controversial Australian Bernard Tomic, who overcame Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin in four sets, but the match had to be stopped for around 15 minutes when a spectator suddenly fell ill.

“It was something I’ve never experienced in a match, so it was very unfortunate,” said Tomic.

“At one stage I was looking directly at the lady. It was not a good moment to be in for me. I felt very, very sad. I really hope she’s okay.”

Leyton Hewitt, making his last appearance in the event, also advanced.