Johanna Konta v Garbine Muguruza
Round 2 match against the Wimbledon finalist and No.9 seed you say? No bother!
The winning run continues for Johanna Konta as she produced a scintillating performance in one of the most memorable matches of the US Open so far to send Wimbledon finalist and No.9 seed Garbine Muguruza packing in three sets.
In a display described by Aegon GB Davis Cup Team captain Leon Smith as ‘a joy to watch’ the British No.2 prevailed 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 6-2 after the longest ever women's match in US Open history to reach Round 3 at a Grand Slam for the first ever time.
World No.97 Konta beat Muguruza at the Aegon International Eastbourne this year and repeated the trick in three hours and 26 minutes out on Court 17 for her 15th win in a row during a golden period for the Brit.
The first set was an action-packed and high-quality encounter with Konta punishing her Spanish opponent’s serve and capitalising on her seventh break point to lead 4-2.
Konta, who qualified for the main draw, was dictating the play and saw two set points come and go when 5-3 up before being broken when serving for the opener but a sublime set of tennis finally came to an end after one hour and 22 minutes when she held her nerve to take the tie-break 7-4.
The second was just as gruelling with Konta going toe-to-toe with the top ten ranked player in the world and matching her blow for blow.
In draining heat Muguruza broke for a 5-4 lead but Konta came roaring back to save two set points and level when her opponent double faulted. It went to a first to seven point shootout once again but this time Muguruza, with the help of a controversial call from the umpire, came out on top.
Both players took a ten minute break after two-and-a-half hours of titanic tussling and Konta returned in top gear and broke twice to move 3-0 ahead.
And she didn’t stop there! The brutal killer shots kept on coming and ensured she kept her advantage to seal her most high profile win and set up a clash with Andrea Petkovic.
Doubles
Earlier on in the day Laura Robson and Kirsten Flipkens got their doubles campaign off to good start with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Madison Keys and Lisa Raymond in just over an hour.
The new pairing of Colin Fleming and Treat Huey then enjoyed a wonderful win to knock out the No.5 seeds Fabio Fognini and Simone Bollelli 6-1, 6-7(3), 7-6(6).