Konta shows Stephens the exit in Brisbane

Day Two of the Brisbane International and the opening match on Pat Rafter Arena saw Sloane Stephens (3) in first round action against Joanna Konta.

The pair had never played each other previously.

Up 40-0 in the first game on serve, Konta then suffered twice a brutal American forehand, and an error of her own brought it to deuce.

A wide Konta forehand produced a break point, but a winning forehand gave us a third deuce.

A stunning down the line forehand from Stephens and a fifth deuce.

Finally, serve held after a sixth deuce, and Konta 1-0.

Stephens also had 40-0, but only lost two points before levelling at 1-1.

An excellent drop shot at 15-30 gave Konta the impetus in game three, but again she was forced to deuce, and then Stephens gained another break point. Saved with a US error. A second break point saved with a winning forehand.

Konta held for 2-1.

Stephens was looking the better, but in the next game faced two break points, saved both with a brilliant winner and an ace, but couldn’t rescue a third, and fell behind 1-3.

Games went with service until Stephens needed to hold at 2-5 to stay in the set.

Three errors, two from Stephens, and 15-30.  A down the line American winner and 30-30.  Wide forehand from Sloane, and set point for Konta, saved with a heavy Stephens forehand forcing the error.

American survival, and Konta now serving for the set at 5-3.

Stephens attacked Konta and gathered three break back points.  Converted the first with a backhand unable to be handled.  5-4 to the Brit.

Konta was resuscitated after her lapse, and the tenth game began with winners from both players.  An error from Stephens, however, gave Konta two set points and she won out with the first of these.  6-4 to Johanna.

A break apiece in set two for 2-2, and then service games held until the eighth game.

Stephens and Konta exchanged errors to be 15-15.  A blazing forehand put the third seed ahead 30-15.  Two game points to level at 4-4.

An unforced error and a double fault brought it to deuce.

The second of two break points was converted and Konta was on the brink of victory, leading 6-4 5-3.

A positive volley and aggressive forehand winner presented Konta with three match points, and the first was converted for a terrific win 6-4 6-3.

Other WTA first round results:

Ajla Tomljanovic defeated Katerina Siniakova 1-6 6-3 6-0

Anastasija Sevastova (8) defeated Dasha Gavrilova 6-3 6-3

Aliaksandra Sasnovich defeated qualifier Anastasia Potapova 6-4 7-5

Petra Kvitova (4) defeated Danielle Collins 6-7(6) 7-6(6) 6-3

Second round results:

Naomi Osaka (2) defeated qualifier Destanee Aiava 6-3 6-2

Lesia Tsurenko defeated wildcard Kimberly Birrell 6-4 6-3