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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Eleanor Crooks & Press Association

Johanna Konta finally ends French Open hoodoo with first round win

Johanna Konta finally broke her French Open hoodoo to reach the second round for the first time.

Konta took advantage of a kind draw to defeat German qualifier Antonia Lottner in straight sets.

She won 6-4 6-4 in an hour and 19 minutes to earn her first first round win.

Konta has had a breakthrough clay-court season this year, winning more tour-level matches than in the rest of her career combined, capped by an unexpected run to the final of the Italian Open in Rome last weekend.

Lottner, ranked 147, was a significant step down from the players Konta beat in Rome, including Sloane Stephens, Venus Williams and Kiki Bertens.

However, getting over the line at a tournament that does not hold happy memories was never likely to be entirely straightforward.

Konta moves into the second round for the first time in five years (JULIEN DE ROSA/EPA-EFE/REX)

Konta dropped serve in the opening game but soon began to find depth and penetration on her ground strokes and moved into a 3-1 lead.

Lottner has a fine backhand but her forehand is significantly weaker while her second serve took a pounding from Konta throughout the match.

How far can she go? (JULIEN DE ROSA/EPA-EFE/REX)

The British No.1 failed to serve out the opening set at 5-3 and Lottner had two chances to level at 5-5 but Konta was determined not to get dragged into a battle and reeled off four points in a row to secure yet another break.

The second set was a much tighter affair, with both players holding serve relatively comfortably until Konta found herself facing three break points at 4-4.

The prospect of a deciding set loomed but Konta's well of confidence is deep right now and she produced more decisive play to stave off the threat.

She got her reward when Lottner coughed up two match points in the next game, and Konta showed no hesitation in taking the first to stride through to a very winnable second-round clash with American Lauren Davis on Wednesday.

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