MELBOURNE, Australia — Venus Williams bowed out of the Australian Open in Monday's first round after a surprise loss to Johanna Konta.
The American seven-time grand slam champion faced a tricky test first up and it proved too much as she fell to Konta 6-4, 6-2 at Rod Laver Arena.
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The Australia-born Konta, 24, had pushed Williams in a tight three-setter in Wuhan last year, but managed much better this time around.
Williams, 35, was a quarterfinalist in last year's Open and came into the 2016 edition as the No. 8 seed. But she had played just one match in the lead up, losing in Auckland, and it contributed to her undoing.
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Konta broke serve twice in the first set before cruising to a 5-0 lead in the second, only to have to withstand some brief resistence from Williams.
Konta, who enjoyed an excellent 2015, relied heavily on her forehand, which contributed 10 of her 19 winners.
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Johanna Konta def. Venus Williams (8) 6-4, 6-2
ACES
Konta — 5
Williams — 1
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Konta — 19/17
Williams — 17/20
BREAK POINTS WON
Konta — 5/8
Williams — 2/4
FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE
Konta _ 60
Williams — 63
PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE
Konta — 71/57
Williams — 52/53
TOTAL POINTS
Konta — 59
Williams — 45