British No 1 Johanna Konta battled into the second round of Wimbledon with a 7-5 6-2 victory over Romanian qualifier Ana Bogdan.
The 19th seed is the best hope for home success in the singles after reaching the semi-finals of the French Open.
She has not yet shown the same form on grass, losing relatively early in Birmingham and Eastbourne, and did not have things all her own way against 132nd-ranked Bogdan on Court One.
It was attack against defence, with Konta hitting substantially more winners – 27 to nine in the match – but also more errors.
However, she took her chance when it came in the 12th game to win the opening set and then broke serve twice more in the second.
Konta saved both the break points she faced and was relieved to come through after admitting she did not play her best tennis.
She said: “It was very tough out there. I don’t think either of us felt quite comfortable, we were both trying to find our feet.
“First rounds are never easy and I’m really pleased to have competed through. So far in the season I feel like I’m building in every match I’m playing.”
In the second round, Konta will face Czech Katerina Siniakova, who knocked out then world No 1 Naomi Osaka at the French Open.
PA
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