Fifth seed Johanna Konta is through to the second round of the Brisbane International for the first time after a gutsy come-from-behind victory over big-hitting US Open finalist Madison Keys.
The 26-year-old took time to find her range and control the weight of shot from Keys before pulling through with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory in little more than two hours.
The win broke a four-match losing streak for the Brit, who will next play Australian wildcard Ajla Tomljanovic in the second round.
“It feels good to come through a match like that, especially in three sets and especially someone like her,” Konta said.
“But I never lost faith in my ability. And I think every player goes through periods in their career, multiple times, where things aren’t turning out the way that you want them to.”
British lucky loser Heather Watson was a late addition to the draw following Petra Kvitova’s withdrawal due to a viral illness.
Watson was promptly bounced out in the first-round clash 6-0, 6-3 by Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit.
In the biggest upset of the day, qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus upstaged French sixth seed Kristina Mladenovic 1-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Meanwhile, 2012 Brisbane champion Kaia Kanepi disposed of Daria Kasatkina 6-2, 6-2 and will play the winner of Monday night’s match between Australia’s Ashleigh Barty and Lesia Tsurenko of the Ukraine.