Last British girl exits French qualifying

Konta, 22, was the only one of four British players in qualifying to make it through the opening round but she came out on the wrong end of a tough three-setter.

In cold and wet conditions at Roland Garros, the British No 3 won the first set against Kazakhstan’s Voskoboeva, but eventually lost 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Konta’s defeat means Laura Robson, Heather Watson and Elena Baltacha will be Britain’s only representatives in the singles main draws in Paris.

Based on form, Serena Williams is a stand-out favourite to win a second French Open title but her record at Roland Garros means she approaches the tournament with a touch of apprehension and fearful of the “lady in the mirror”.

Williams is world No 1, unbeaten in 24 matches and has won four consecutive tournaments, yet she remains diffident after last year’s debacle when she exited in the first round.

But such is her current dominance, it is hard to see beyond the powerhouse American. Last year’s queen of the clay Maria Sharapova has already lost two 2013 finals to Williams while her hopes of laying down a marker in the last warm-up event in Rome were hit by illness.

World No 3 Victoria Azarenka got one over Williams in Doha but was so comprehensively demolished by the American in the Rome final that she is likely to be nursing psychological scars that have little time to heal.

Last year’s semi-finalist Sam Stosur, has not been past the quarter-finals in any event this year, while 2011 champion Li Na has struggled in both the Madrid and Rome warm-ups.

There is, however, one opponent who Williams fears could cause an upset – the enemy within. “Whoever I play is my opponent and also the lady in the mirror is the ultimate opponent for me and so [I have to be] cautious and go for every point,” she said .