Johanna Konta boosts confidence ahead of US Open with win in Connecticut
The British number one ran out a 6-2 7-5 winner over German Laura Siegemund in New Haven
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Johanna Konta reached the second round of the Connecticut Open with a straight-sets win over Laura Siegemund.
The British number one boosted her confidence ahead of next week's US Open with a 6-2 7-5 victory in New Haven.
Konta had lost her two previous meetings to Siegemund, but the German spent 10 months out of the game after tearing a cruciate ligament in her knee in May 2017.
Siegemund has tumbled from 37 to 146 in the world rankings - exactly 100 places below Konta - and looked rusty at the start of her first hard court match this year before improving in a fiercely-competitive second set.
"I knew coming into the match Laura is one of the best competitors out there regardless of how many matches she's played since she's come back," Konta said.
"She's always tough to play and her level got better and better from the first to the second set.
"So I just tried to knuckle down, keep doing what I did in the first set, and trust that was going to give me opportunities."
Konta broke twice and won her first two service games to love, racing in to a 4-0 lead before a fourth ace closed out the set in 31 minutes.
The second set was a much tighter affair after Konta broke Siegemund's serve again in the opening game.
Siegemund fought back to level at 3-3 after Konta had double faulted on game point.
The set looked to be heading towards a tie-break, but successive double faults from Siegemund allowed Konta to serve out and set up a last-16 meeting with Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments