Johanna Konta vs. Bernarda Pera, Madrid R2 Preview

Mutua Madrid Open, R2 Preview
🇬🇧 Johanna Konta vs. 🇺🇸 (Q) Bernarda Pera

Johanna Konta and Bernard Pera will renew hostilities when they meet at the second round stage of the Mutua Madrid Open on Tuesday. Pera has proven to be a surprisingly troublesome opponent for Konta, the pair have met on 2 occasions in 2018 and claimed 1 win apiece. Both will view this is a winnable match and a great opportunity to reach the third round at the third premier mandatory event of the year.

Clay has always been Johanna Konta’s least successful surface. Perhaps the relatively quick clay courts in Madrid can provide the opportunity for Konta to gain some confidence on clay. Konta started her 2018 Madrid campaign with a solid 6-3 7-5 win over the 16th seeded Magdalena Rybarikova.

Bernarda Pera has already won 3 matches in Madrid. The American claimed straight set wins over Polona Hercog and Sachia Vickery to progress through the qualifying draw whilst a 6-2 4-6 6-3 win over Aryna Sabalenka secured her spot in the second round of the main draw.

Both of the previous matches between the pair took place on a hard court earlier this year. Pera stunned Konta at the second round stage of the Australian Open, a 6-4 7-5 win whilst more recently it was Konta who won 7-6 6-1 in Doha.

To view my analysis / prediction for this match: Click here