US Open: Andy Murray and Jo Konta target last 16 in New York
US Open |
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Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York; Dates: 31 August-13 September |
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Coverage: Live radio and text commentary on every Andy Murray match plus selected others. |
Andy Murray will have British company in the US Open third round as both the third seed and qualifier Jo Konta aim to reach the last 16 on day six.
Murray meets Brazilian 30th seed Thomaz Bellucci in the second night session match at around 02:00 BST on Sunday.
British number two Konta, ranked 97th, faces German 18th seed Andrea Petkovic in Saturday's opening match on Louis Armstrong Stadium at 16:00.
She is through to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time.
Day six's order of play on Arthur Ashe Stadium
Konta in confident mood
The world number 97 is in the form of her life and sees no reason why she cannot topple another seed and make it 16 wins in a row.
Konta's spectacular run since Wimbledon swept up ninth seed and SW19 finalist Garbine Muguruza over the course of three and a half hours on Thursday.
"If I would go out against some of these players and see them as their ranking, then I probably would have already lost before I even stepped on the court," said the 24-year-old.
"I keep in mind that everyone is human. There are no super-humans out there. I just feel confident in my own ability."
GB's Fed Cup captain Judy Murray: |
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"I'm absolutely gobsmacked at how far Jo has come in the last four months. Her form and her results have been quite incredible. |
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"She suffered from really bad performance anxiety and it was really a question of her recognising she needed to do something to help control her emotions and her mind. |
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"It just shows you that anything is possible if you tackle the right things and invest in yourself. I'm absolutely delighted for her." |
Petkovic will be 'tough'
Qualifier Konta has already guaranteed a career-best pay cheque of £79,000 for her run to the third round, and another victory would earn her £141,000.
It would also help her close in on Heather Watson in the rankings, although Konta insists that becoming British number one is not on her mind.
"It really isn't," she said. "I really am just enjoying competing. I'm happy I get to be in the third round of the US Open.
"There are not that many people in the world that can say they have done that."
What has changed for Konta? |
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Konta relocated her training to Gijon in northern Spain at the end of last year under the guidance of coaches Esteban Carril and Jose-Manuel Garcia. |
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She has also been working with "mental coach" Juan Coto, a London-based Spaniard who also works with hedge fund managers and city workers. |
Petkovic, 27, was a quarter-finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2011 but has not been past the third round since.
"I'm expecting a very tough competitor, because that's what she is," said Konta.
Murray in recovery mode
It is all about recovery for Murray, who spent a draining three hours and 17 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium seeing off Adrian Mannarino in five sets in round two.
The Scot, 28, was clearly struggling with a cold when he spoke to the media afterwards, and told BBC Sport: "I feel a little bit better than I did the last couple of days, even though I might not sound good.
"I'm sure I'll be a little bit stiff and sore [on Saturday] but hopefully feeling a bit better."
Murray will rely on his experienced team of fitness trainer Matt Little, physio Mark Bender and coach Jonas Bjorkman to get him ready for Bellucci.
"That's why I obviously surround myself with the team that I do, to recover as best as possible," he said.
Bellucci 'in form and aggressive'
With a victory over Murray to his name in their only previous meeting, and having not dropped a set in New York this year, Bellucci should be confident.
The 27-year-old from Sao Paulo has beaten Briton James Ward and Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka, and is in the top three for both returns and winners made at the tournament so far.
"He's got a good serve and plays predominantly from the back of the court, but he's an aggressive player," said Murray.
"He likes to try and dictate the points from the back. He's had some good results this year and won two matches here very comfortably."
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