Konta draws Petkovic in WTA Wuhan main draw

By Ros Satar
  • Johanna Konta flew through qualifying in her first matches since her run to the second week of the US open
  • Joins Heather Watson who also came through qualifying – she faces Jelena Jankovic in her opener.

Wuhan, CHINA – Johanna Konta will hope to build on her great form at the US Open, as she competes in WTA Wuhan just points behind British No. 1 Heather Watson.

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Konta, who came through qualifying at the US Open, only to plough through the first week in Flushing Meadows, including beating Wimbledon finalist Garbine Muguruza, faces Petkovic in the opening round – another of her US Open victims.

For the German – it is a chance for a little bit of revenge, but her first match in China was a loss to WTA Rising Star Monica Puig in Guangzhou, so will the benefit of getting qualifying matches under her belt make the difference for Konta?

Petkovic was the second seed, and may well still struggle to find her way past the Brit. Both have decent court smarts, but sometimes Petkovic can over-think her play. Perhaps in the past this was something that afflicted Konta, but with the help of a sports psychologist on her team, she has learned to play each point as it comes, and enjoy it more – and the results have certainly proved themselves this year.

Konta can put the German under pressure if she tries to force Petkovic to defend – she can be a little mechanical at times, and although she has a lot of power and can hit nice and deep, she can be driven to frustration if she can’t dictate. Konta has shown she has all the patience in the world, and cpuld well take advantage.

She sits in a pretty loaded quarter, with Victoria Azarenka as a potential second round opponent, followed by top seed and World No. 2, Simona Halep. But one thing at a time, as she would chide us.

Konta and Petkovic are scheduled on Court 1, not before 12:30pm (5:30am BST).

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