Konta Criticises Melbourne Timings

Johanna Konta has called for changes at the Australian Open after her defeat to Garbine Muguruza finished at 3:12 local time.

The pair battled it out for two hours 42 minutes before the Spaniard triumphed 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 in front of around 250 spectators on the Margaret Court Arena.

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Muguruza will now face Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky but for Konta the result marks a sixth straight Grand Slam where she has failed to make the third round.

While the 27-year-old remained gracious in defeat, she called for a review into the schedule in Melbourne, claiming that making players take to the court so late is unhealthy and an unnecessary risk.

“I don’t agree with athletes having to physically exert themselves in the wee hours of the morning,” Konta said. “I don’t think it is healthy – in fact it is quite dangerous.

“However, Garbine and I were both in the same position and, with the circumstances, we really put on a great match, and it’s just a shame more people couldn’t enjoy it.”