No problems for Johanna Konta in Birmingham opener, but Elina Svitolina stunned

Michael Graham
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Johanna Konta

Johanna Konta made an impressive start to her campaign in Birmingham by easily overcoming Anett Kontaveit, but it was a day of upsets elsewhere.

The Brit looked happy to be home after her French Open heartbreak, and was dominant in her 6-2, 6-2 win over the Estonian.

“I’m so happy to be back on home soil and to be in front of you guys again,” Konta said after the match.

“I’m so pleased to get started on the grass, this is a such a privileged time for the Brits so I’m happy.

“I had a few days off, did not get too much practice on the grass because of the weather, then I got back into training.”

Compatriot Heather Watson had a much more disappointing homecoming, though, losing to Czech Czech Barbora Strycova 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

There was a huge upset on the opening day too, with world number seven Elina Svitolina at the hands of Russian world number 62 Margarita Gasparyan.

Aryna Sabalenka also suffered defeat, losing to Taiwanese world number 28 Hsieh Su-wei 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1).

There were no problems for third seed Karolina Pliskova, though, who over came Romania’s Mihaela Buzarnescu 6-3, 6-4.

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