Konta’s AO love affair goes on

Johanna Konta’s love affair with the Australian Open has continued with the British No.9 seed cruising into the second round with a 6-3 6-1 victory over American Madison Brengle.

The Australian-born Konta needed only 66 minutes to end the challenge of Brengle.

Konta boasts a formidable 10-2 win-loss record at Melbourne Park, having reached the semifinals on her Open debut in 2016 and the quarterfinals last year.

“I’m very happy with the match,” said the 26-year-old.

“I knew it was going to be tough as (Brengle) gets a lot of balls back.

“I love playing here and have had some of the best results of my career here.”

Konta will play the winner of the all-Russian encounter between Margarita Gasparyan and Anna Blinkova in the second round on Thursday when the temperature is predicted to soar to 38 degrees.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Konta. “I love the Australian heat.”

With the women’s competition thrown wide open this year in the absence of seven-time champion Serena Williams, Konta is among a host of players in contention to claim a first grand slam title.

She is Britain’s best chance of success in Melbourne in 2018 as Andy Murray is missing the Open for the first time in 13 years as he recovers from hip surgery.