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Johanna Konta focused on match against Coco Gauff

:Headline: Johanna Konta focused on match against Coco Gauff: ID:416009: from db_amp
Johanna Konta will take on the 16-year-old at Roland Garros on Sunday.

Johanna Konta has vowed not to be overawed by teenage superstar Coco Gauff in the first round of the French Open.

Konta's clash with 16-year-old Gauff on Sunday will be one of the highlights of the opening round.

This is the American's main-draw debut at Roland Garros but she is already a proven grand slam competitor having reached the fourth round of Wimbledon and the Australian Open and the third round of the US Open.

Taking on Gauff is a psychological challenge for more experienced players, and one that many women have already struggled with.

Konta is determined not to fall into that trap, saying: "I'm very clear on the fact that I'm going in playing another professional tennis player who is one of the best ranked in the world.

"It doesn't matter if she's 14 or 40. I think she's there for a reason. It's going out on court respecting the player that I'm about to play. I'm going to be playing against the tennis that she brings, not her social media following, not her persona."

Gauff is ranked 51, just two short of her career best, although she has only won one of her last four matches and must deal with sky-high expectations wherever she plays.

Konta, who is aiming for another good fortnight after her brilliant run to the semi-finals last year, said: "I think it's quite normal, whenever there's a young player that does exceptionally well, it is going to be sensationalised. It is just the nature of sport.

Evans, a committed clay phobic, agreed it was probably the worst draw he could have had, saying: "You guys know how good he is. No one really needs to question his quality. It will be a difficult match. I have to go out there and try my best to win the match and see what happens."

The British number one, meanwhile, questioned the decision of the French Tennis Federation to admit fans to Roland Garros.

The FFT had hoped to have 11,500 people through the gates each day and made no secret of its disgruntlement at having that reduced to 1,000 amid soaring rates of coronavirus.

Evans said: "It's obviously very important that the safety of everybody is kept in mind. Hopefully we're not rushing back to get fans. We can worry about not playing with fans for a little longer. Right now it isn't a great time I don't think."

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