Konta flying British flag

JOHANNA Konta is through to the second round of Australian Open qualifying after a tough encounter against Anastasia Sevastova.

Konta – ranked 153 – overcame the world 
No 179 6-3, 6-7 (10/8), 6-4 in a draining match which lasted over two and a half hours. Konta, an Australian-born British player, now faces Yi-Miao Zhou of China.

Anne Keothavong went out at the first hurdle, beaten 7-5, 7-5 by American Grace Min.

Keothavong was 5-2 ahead in the second set and on course to level the match. However the Briton fell apart as her opponent, ranked 178th in the world, won five straight games to progress to the second round.