JO KONTA’S French Open prospects have been considerably boosted despite battling a cold and overcoming a stubborn US opponent.
The British No.1 beat American wildcard Lauren Davis 6-3 1-6 6-3 to move into unchartered territory of the third round at Roland Garros.
Konta struggled to get over the finishing line in the third set and had to work hard to get rid of Davis, whose left knee and thigh was heavily strapped with bandages.
The 28-year-old won the first set but collapsed in the second before eventually securing the triumph in the decisive set on her fourth match point.
Even though the weather has been good this week in Paris, Konta has had a sniffy nose and occasionally went to her bag to use handkerchiefs.
And her next opponent will not be the dangerous Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens, the fourth seed in the women’s singles draw.
Bertens was forced to retire from her match with Slovakian Viktoria Kuzmova after just five games on the tournament’s biggest court because of illness.
Speaking to the tournament director, the tearful Bertens said: “I was sick before the match and am really aching.
“There’s nothing in my arms, nothing in my legs. I’m shaking like hell.”
Of course, Konta is not the type to take any player for granted, especially when it comes to one of the Slams.
But she will be extremely pleased, if not relieved, that a serious obstacle has been removed from her path as she attempts to make serious progress here
And she will fancy her chances against the unknown Kuzmova in the Last 32 rather than Bertens.
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