The opening day of the inaugural St. James’s Place Battle of the Brits Team Tennis served a duo of shock results for the two highest ranked players in the competition.
Women’s world No.14 Johanna Konta could only win seven games as she slumped to a 6-4, 6-3, loss to underdog Jodie Burrage. A Surrey-based 21-year-old former top 15 junior player who is yet to crack the top 200 on the women’s Tour. Konta, who was playing in her first competitive match of any sort since February, dropped serve in three out of her five service games at one point.
“She is a good ball striker and has the ability to play at a very good level,” the former Wimbledon semi-finalist said of her opponent.
Watching Konta from the sidelines was new coach Thomas Hogstedt, who is best known for his work with Maria Sharapova. The two have joined forces on a trial basis. Konta also confirmed on Monday that she has pulled out of next week’s Palermo Open in Italy in order to focus her attention on the North American hardcourt swing. Her next tournament is set to be the Top Seed Open in Lexington, USA.
“We haven’t had any [WTA player council] meetings for a few weeks but everything is pointing in the direction that it is going to go ahead,” Konta commented on playing at the US Open next month. “Just basing my opinion on all the information that is there, I think it probably will.”
Another surprise to occur at the National Tennis Center in Roehampton took place among the men with Dan Evans falling 4-6, 6-3, 10-7, to Cameron Norrie. Evans, who won the Battle of the Brit’s men’s tournament last month, failed to capitalise on his opportunities. Failing to convert two break points during the second frame to lead the match by a set and 4-2. Then in the deciding tiebreak, he boasted a 6-3 advantage before Norrie battled back to claim victory.
Now that’s how you win a match…@cam_norrie came up with the goods when he most needed it at #BattleOfTheBrits 💪 pic.twitter.com/F0YZ1OeTVn
— LTA (@the_LTA) July 27, 2020
A total of 26 players are playing in this week’s event. The field has been split into two groups called the British Bulldogs and the Union Jack. Evans and Konta are on opposite teams, which have two captains. Leon Smith and Anne Keothavong head the bulldogs. Meanwhile, former British No.1 Greg Rusedski and Judy Murray are in charge of Union Jack.
It is the Bulldogs who are in control after the first day of competition with a dominant 9-4 lead. Points in the tie vary depending on the type of match played. Other Bulldog winners include Kyle Edmund, who edged past 19-year-old Anton Matusevich 7-5, 6-3.
“We practice with [the younger British players], know their games a little bit. Anton has an aggressive game and likes to impose his physicality. In the second set once I got the break it was all about managing it. These matches are a good opportunity to get match tight and match fit,” Edmund commented on his win.
Full list of results (winners in bold)
| Union Jack | British Bulldogs | Result | Points to winner |
| J. Burrage | J.Konta | 6-4, 6-3 | 1 |
| D. Evans | C.Norrie | 4-6, 6-3, 10-7 | 1 |
| A. Matusevich | K.Edmund | 7-5, 6-3 | 1 |
| K. Boulter | E.Raducanu | 6-4, 6-3 | 1 |
| J.Murray/H.Watson | J.Salisbury/H.Dart | 7-5, 3-6, 10-8 | 3 |
| R.Peniston | A.McHugh | 6-4, 3-6, 10-7 | 1 |
| L.Glasspool/N.Broady | D.Inglot/E.Silva | 6-4, 6-2 | 2 |
| H.Watson | B.Grey | 7-5, 6-4 | 1 |
| D.Evans/l.Glasspool | D.Inglot/A.Gray | 6-4, 7-6 | 2 |
| points won – 4 | Points won – 9 |
