Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/774426
22 THE British number one pro- duced a scratchy performance in her opening match on Margaret Court Arena but it is a sign of her rising class that she could still convincingly overcome Flipkens, under-ranked at 70th in the world, 7-5 6-2. The ninth seed will now face Japan's big-hitting but erratic 19-year-old Naomi Osaka, who needed three sets to overcome Thai wildcard Luksika Kumkhum 6-7 (2/7) 6-4 7-5. Konta's breathtaking wins against Eugenie Bouchard and Agnieszka Radwanska at the Syd- ney International last week have many tipping her as a contender for the title here but this was not a vintage display from the 25-year- old. The British number one pro- duced a scratchy performance in her opening match on Margaret Court Arena but it is a sign of her rising class that she could still convincingly overcome Flipkens, under-ranked at 70th in the world, 7-5 6-2. The ninth seed will now face Japan's big-hitting but erratic 19-year-old Naomi Osaka, who needed three sets to overcome Thai wildcard Luksika Kumkhum 6-7 (2/7) 6-4 7-5. Konta's breathtaking wins against Eugenie Bouchard and Agnieszka Radwanska at the Syd- ney International last week have many tipping her as a contender for the title here but this was not a vintage display from the 25-year- old. Flipkens played her part, a crafty and, at 31, experienced opponent but it was more Konta's 22 un- forced errors, 12 from her usually reliable backhand side, that made the contest closer than it could have been. "She made it difficult for me out there," Konta said. "She's got this great ability at really frustrating her opponents with some of the balls she's able to hit. "She's very creative in that way so I think I was really happy I was able to work myself into the match and to come through it." Konta will have been pleased to finish in an hour and 36 minutes and, with an 11am start local time, before the peak heat set in, with temperatures rising to around 35 degrees Celsius in Melbourne. She looked nervous, however, walking out on court, and com- mitted eight unforced errors in the opening three games alone. It was not until a moth, floating around her skirt, interrupted her service that the Briton broke into a smile and appeared to relax. She instantly delivered a booming ace. "I just saw the moth go between my legs and I didn't see it come out, so I was like, 'Oh no, is it under my skirt?"' Konta later ex- plained. "That's basically what happened." Konta had two set points when serving at 5-4 but failed to convert and instead it was Flipkens that broke when a wayward backhand volley concluded a tense 10-min- ute game. At one stage in her career Konta might have crumbled but now she is made of sterner stuff, proved again when she had to replay a break point she clearly would have won as a wrong call was corrected. It made no difference. Konta broke for 6-5 and served out the first set to love. The second frame was more straightforward for the Briton, who broke decisively at 2-2 with another trademark backhand winner. When the same shot flew past Flipkens a game later, the Bel- gian could only clap her racket in resignation. One unusual moment soon af- ter saw a Flipkens lob land down on her opponents' foot, Konta misjudging the flight of a ball she thought was dropping out. The next point she fired off a backhand down the line and broke again for 5-2. It summed up a topsy-turvy match for Konta, who will have to play better if she is to challenge for the title. For now, it was a case of job done. maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 18 JANUARY 2017 Sport FORMULA 1 TENNIS Rosberg issues warning to Bottas World champion Nico Rosberg has warned Valtteri Bottas that it will not be easy to match Lewis Hamilton after hailing his bitter rival as "one of the best of all-time" BOTTAS was formally unveiled as Hamilton's new Mercedes team-mate on Monday, nearly seven weeks after Rosberg rocked the sporting world with his deci- sion to retire as champion. Rosberg finally ended his long- running losing streak to Hamilton by virtue of clinching the title at the season-ending race in Abu Dhabi in November. But the German, who is now working for his former team as an ambassador, believes Bottas will find it a tough task to be on the same playing field as triple world champion Hamilton. Rosberg said: "In terms of Valt- teri Bottas, I was informed of the announcement yesterday and I think it is great news for the team. "I am happy that they found a great solution quite quickly. I am sure he is going to do a really, re- ally good job and he is going to blend in well. "I am going to be sitting in front of the TV and watching the action and I look forward to seeing how Valtteri gets on, especially against Lewis, because Lewis is an awe- some reference point. "He is one of the best out there and one of the best of all-time so it is not going to be easy for him [Bottas] for sure. It will be inter- esting to follow." Bottas joins Mercedes with just nine podium finishes under his belt and is yet to record a victory. On paper it seems an unlikely match-up. Hamilton has three championships and, statistically at least, is the second most suc- cessful driver in the sport's his- tory with 53 career wins. Few people expect Bottas to beat Hamilton, but Niki Lauda, Mer- cedes' non-executive chairman, is not among them and he insists his new recruit can fight for the title. "Bottas is the best man [for the job]," Lauda told German broad- caster RTL. "I believe that he can drive as fast as Nico. I believe he can win the world championship. "We looked for a driver who fits our team. Until now we always had two top drivers who could fight for the world championship. Nico and Lewis were a fine ex- ample of that, because they were fighting head-to-head. "In the last three years we won everything there was to win and this is why we decided to go with Bottas, as he brings experience and speed to the team. "Both drivers can push as hard as they want, as always. This has never changed at Mercedes and it will not change in the future." Nico Rosberg (left) regards former team-mate Lewis Hamilton as "one of the best of all-time." Konta battles past Flipkens Johanna Konta could not deliver the same brilliance that won her the title in Sydney last week but still proved too strong for Kirsten Flipkens in the Australian Open first round Konta reaches for a volley return against Flipkens