Sydney International: Johanna Konta wins opening qualifying match
Britain’s Johanna Konta is one win away from the Sydney International main draw after easing through her first-round qualifying match.
Sydney-born Konta, ranked 37th in the world, beat 277th-ranked Miriam Kolodziejova 6-3 6-2 in 71 minutes.
The 27-year-old won 81% of first-serve points to set up a meeting with Russian 12th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Elsewhere, Heather Watson advanced in the Hobart qualifiers, but Katie Boulter suffered a three-set defeat.
British number two Watson, who won the event in 2015, overcame Australia’s Naiktha Bains 7-5 6-3.
However, number three Boulter was beaten 6-3 3-6 6-1 by Belgium’s Greetje Minnen.
The tournaments in Sydney and Hobart are among the final WTA events before the Australian Open begins on 14 January.
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