By Chris Oddo | Monday January 1, 2018
Johanna Konta battled past Madison Keys to reach the second round of the Brisbane International on Monday, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
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It was Konta’s second straight win over Keys.
The No.5-seed will face Ajla Tomljanovic in the second round at Brisbane.
See the updated Brisbane International Women's Singles Draw Here
Keys broke Konta on her sixth break point of the opening set, but the British No.1 tightened up her serve for the final two sets. She converted her only break point against Keys in the middle set and did not face a break point from the American.
Konta opened the decider with a break and saved the only two break points she faced in the decider. The 26-year-old broke again to close out the victory in two hours and seven minutes.
In other action on Monday in Brisbane, No.3-seeded Elina Svitolina sailed past Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro, 6-2, 6-4. The World No.6 will face Ana Konjuh in the second round.
Also advancing on New Year’s Day in Brisbane were Lesia Tsurenko (d. Barty, 6-3, 6-2), Kaia Kanepi (d. Kasatkina, 6-2, 6-2) and CiCi Bellis (d. Bondarenko, 6-2, 7-5).
Sorana Cirstea defeated Jennifer Brady while Annett Kontaveit knocked off Heather Watson, 6-0, 6-3. Watson was filling in for Petra Kvitova, who withdrew from the event due to a viral illness.