Britain’s Jo Konta put her poor recent form behind her as she overcame Daria Kasatkina to reach the second round of the US Open for the first time since 2016.
The 16th seed battled past the former top 10 player to clinch a 6-1 4-6 6-2 victory in just over two hours.
Playing in front of a crowd dominated by Brits, Konta flew through the first set, hitting 15 winners, and looked set for a routine win. However Kasatkina showed just why she started the year as world number 10, frustrating Konta and forcing her opponent to make errors.
After being broken in the fifth game of the second set, Konta grew irritated at the umpire as her overturned some line calls in the Russian’s favour allowing Kasatkina saved break points to lead 5-3. The Russian served out the match to take it into a decider, but it was Konta who made the decisive breakthrough to lead 4-1, after both players traded breaks.
The Russian, who came into the match having beaten Konta in their last two encounters, then served back-to-back double faults to hand the Briton victory. Konta next faces Margarita Gasparayan in the next round.
Dan Evans battles past Adrian Mannarino
Dan Evans’ 100% record in the opening round of the US Open remains in tact after the Briton defeated Adrian Mannarino in four sets.
Evans recovered from a dip in the third set to clinch a 6-4 6-3 2-6 6-3 victory in front of Davis Cup captain Leon Smith.
The Brit played at a frantic pace in the opening two sets, as his French opponent cut a frustrated figure. Evans, who seemed to be hobbling at times, then took a breather in the third set as Mannarino showed signs of a fightback.
However, Evans soon quashed any French hopes, breaking his opponent’s serve at the end before serving it out to love.
Victory for Evans will see the British number two take on either Lucas Pouille or Philip Kohlschreiber.
The Big Racket 