By Daily Sports on January 18, 2018

British number one Johanna Konta suffered a shock defeat by world number 123 Bernarda Pera in the second round of the Australian Open.

The American won 6-4 7-5 to claim only her second win at Grand Slam level.

Ninth seed Konta had reached the quarter-finals and semi-finals on her past two visits to Melbourne Park.

She saved four match points on a hot and blustery afternoon but framed a smash on the fifth to give 23-year-old Pera the biggest win of her career.

Pera goes on to face Barbora Strycova in the third round after the Czech 20th seed beat Spain's Lara Arruabarrena 6-3 6-4.

Konta, 26, has now won just three of 11 matches since reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals in July.

Pera lost in qualifying and only made it into the main draw of a Slam for the first time as a lucky loser, after another player withdrew through injury.

The Croatia-born American has taken full advantage, deservedly knocking out ninth seed Konta with relentless attacking off her returns and forehand.

"I was ready to leave on Monday," said Pera. "When I got in I was so excited and to win two rounds is amazing."

Konta could not cope with the pace and depth coming at her, while her own serve failed to make much impact, and she finished without hitting a single ace.

Despite landing 70% of her first serves, she would end the match having won just 54% of those points, while 14 winners illustrated her struggle to hit through Pera. (BBC)

•Photo shows Konta.

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 18, 2018

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