Australian Open 2016 - Main Draw - Melbourne, Australia - Hard

Peter too · Tennis legend

RE: Australian Open 2016 - Main Draw - Melbourne, Australia - Hard

Rustie · Junior player

Great start for Jo *5-2

God knows how far she can go if she wins here.

Peter too · Tennis legend

Venus strings some good serves together and holds to love. *3-2
Jo serves well and makes Venus run holding to love. 4-2*
After just missing two winners Jo earns another break point but puts the ball out. She then earns another break point and Venus nets Jo *5-2.
Venus got to 30-15 with constant play but Jo serves well to earn a set point which Venus saves. Venus playing better earns a break point and takes it. Jo 5-3*
Two unforced errors from Venus takes Jo to 30-0 and two errors by Jo makes it 30-30. Jo sends Venus wide and takes a low volley at the net to put it just out, followed by another mistake Jo *5-4.
Three good points from Jo seats up three set points. Finishes with her third ace Jo 6-4

Bruce · Lower Club Player

AO radio on the Australian Open website www.ausopen.com is currently commentating on the match

Peter too · Tennis legend

Venus serves the 1st DF of the match to make it deuce. Jo plays two excellent points moving Venus around and breaks. Jo*1-0.
Venus has won a number of points with volleyed angle shots at the net but a drop shot at the net by her is beautifully angled away by Jo. Jo continues to keep Venus under pressure Jo 2-0*.
Jo is moving Venus around again, 40-0 and three more break points. Two unreturnable serves saves two match points but a 2nd serve lets Jo in and she breaks for the 2nd time. Jo *3-0.
Jo goes 30-0 up with two good serves, A 3rd good serve sets up the winner but Jo nets her volley. Another good serve sets her up for 40-15. Jo takes the game Jo 4-0*.

Peter too · Tennis legend

Jo earns two more break points with powerful play sending Venus from side to side. Jo *5-0.
Jo is relentless at present and Venus has no answer. Now it comes down to whether Jo can maintain focus and finish it off.
Jo plays her 1st DF for 15-30 and continues to miss her 1st serves, 15-40. Venus breaks after a 14 stroke rally Jo 5-1*.
Three good serves and an ace from Venus gives her the game, Jo *5-2.
Jo serves an ace from 0-30, and another good serve and volley 30-30. Venus hits the line for the 2nd time in this game 30-40. A good angled forehand saves the break 40-40. A wide service sets up the winner but Jo overhits, Ad Venus. Good play from Jo and it's back to deuce. Jo earns a match point which she takes!!!
R1: KONTA, Johanna (GBR) 47 def WILLIAMS, Venus (USA) 8 10 6-4 6-2

airsmashers · County player

Wow I can't believe how routine that was

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

steven · Tennis legend

Wonderful stuff

There's a minute of video of the post-match interview here: twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/689280886185918464

She's as happy as you might expect, lovely to see

vohor · Grand Slam Champion

Fantastic news to wake up to; thanks for the commentary Peter too biggrin
Huge win for Jo; congrats that girl biggrin

Saisai Zheng CHN ranked 83 next for Jo...

-- Edited by vohor on Tuesday 19th of January 2016 07:25:01 AM

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Fantastic win good to see both British number 1 s coming good

steven · Tennis legend

L64: Johanna Konta WR 47 v Zheng Saisai (CHN) WR 83 (CH 61 last May)

H2H 1-0 - JoKo beat her 1 & 3 in Roland Garros qualifying in 2013

PaulM · Tennis legend

Great, handled everything brilliantly even with a wee wobble at the end of each set. Chuffed for her and has a good chance against Zheng.

Sim · County player

Great result. Jo seems to enjoy the grand slams and playing against the top players.

How far can she go?

Jan · Hall of fame

Brilliant!!

biggrin biggrin biggrin