Johanna Konta has progressed through to the second round of the Australian Open with a stunning victory over Venus Williams.
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The British number one came within touching distance of beating the seven-time Major champion in Wuhan late last year, but she got over the line on this occasion, defeating the former world number one by a 6-4 6-2 scoreline.
Konta went into the match having lost both of her matches in 2016, but during the early stages, it was clear that she believed she could cause a major surprise on her first appearance in Melbourne.
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The 24-year-old broke twice to open up a 5-2 lead against a below-par Williams, and although her opponent regained one of the breaks, Konta eventually served out the set.
For much of the second, it was largely one-way traffic as Konta dismantled Williams, registering three successive breaks of serve to open up a 5-0 advantage and move within one game of a famous win.
Williams suggested that a fightback may be in the offing by reducing the deficit to 5-2 and creating break points for 5-3, but Konta held her nerve to complete an outstanding performance on Rod Laver Arena.
Darren Plant
