Johanna Konta’s winless start to 2020 continues as she makes early exit in St Petersburg
Johanna Konta’s wait for her first victory of the 2020 season continues after she was beaten by world No 159 Oceane Dodin in her opening match at the St Petersburg Ladies Trophy.
After making first-round exits at the Brisbane International and the Australian Open, Konta was hoping for a change in fortune in Russia.
However, the fourth seed slumped to a 6-3, 6-4 defeat at the hands of Dodin, who claimed the second top 20 win of her career.
Second career win over a Top 20 player 🙌
Oceane Dodin defeats the No.4 seed Konta, 6-3, 6-4, at the @Formula_TX! pic.twitter.com/48pba85Uhw
— WTA (@WTA) February 12, 2020
“The last [Top 20 win] was, I think, three years ago!” Dodin said. “So, this is incredible.”
The French qualifier added: “I’m just very happy with my game right now. I’m very happy to be here and to be in the quarterfinals, and we will see.”
She will face Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan for a place in the semi-final after the eighth seed beat French lucky loser Fiona Ferro 6-3, 6-4.
Top seed Belinda Bencic is safely into the last eight after the Swiss held off two-time Grand Slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova, winning 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.
“I definitely had to be the aggressor, play a little bit harder shots, because obviously [Kuznetsova] tries to break your rhythm with the spins and the slices and everything,” Bencic said. “I was prepared for that.”
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @T365Official.
Latest
-
NewsAndy Murray not teaming up with Serena Williams in Wimbledon mixed doubles
Murray will play singles at the All England Club for the first time since 2017.
-
NewsFrom Simona Halep to Coco Gauff – The contenders for the women’s Wimbledon title
Ten women to watch at the All England Club.
-
NewsWimbledon will look very different this year – here is what to expect
Centre Court will host capacity crowds for the men’s and women’s finals.
-
NewsFrom Novak Djokovic to Roger Federer – Contenders for the men’s Wimbledon title
Ten players to watch at the All England Club.
-
NewsWimbledon is ‘very odd’ home away from home for British hopeful Johanna Konta
Konta is one of 14 British players in the singles main draws for this year’s Championships.
-
WimbledonFive big talking points ahead of Wimbledon’s return after a two-year break
The championships are back after the 2020 break due to the coronavirus pandemic.
-
NewsOns Jabeur creates a slice of tennis history with a win in the LTA Viking Classic
Ons Jabeur earned herself a place in the history books with her 7-5 6-4 win over Daria Kasatkina in the LTA Viking Classic final.
-
NewsShock result in Halle Open final as Andrey Rublev is beaten
Ugo Humbert stunned world number seven Andrey Rublev in straight sets to lift the Halle Open title.
-
WimbledonCoco Gauff looks ahead to a return to the scene of her greatest triumphs
The American’s career took off in 2019 when she made it to the fourth round at SW19.
-
NewsMatteo Berrettini ends hopes of a new British winner at Queen’s Club
Norrie, 25, was attempting to become only the second Brit to win at Queen’s, after Andy Murray, since the Second World War.