US Open 2017: Johanna Konta and the strange case of the first-round yips

As British number one, Konta carries the traditional weight of British expectation. She is watched closely as fans and pundits predict that she could be the woman to break the dearth of Grand Slam titles for British women; her duo of Slam semi-finals are, so far, the closest she’s come.

This year, in the absence of the injured Andy Murray, she was the biggest hope for Great Britain across both singles draws at the US Open – and a first-round exit to Aleksandra Krunic - 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 - was not anticipated by anyone.

Except, perhaps, by Konta herself.

She crashed out of the French Open in May to Hsieh Su-Wei in similar style, winning the first set before her lower-ranked opponent got wise to her and triumphed 1-6, 7-6, 6-4, and her departure at this stage in Flushing Meadows seems to be something she was not entirely surprised by.

"First rounds in every tournament, and especially at Slams, can be tricky, can be difficult for everyone – for me personally – finding your footing and playing yourself into the tournament,” she said afterwards.

It's a touch puzzling, though, bearing in mind how strong she has looked elsewhere on the tour, with titles in Sydney and Miami already in 2017.

Always philosophical, she also explained: "I don’t take anything for granted. I think it would be quite obnoxious of me to come in here expecting I have a right to be in second week."

Konta has a healthy sense of perspective, and says she will not dwell on this particular loss, telling reporters: "I think not to catastrophise is important. It is a tennis match. It's a sport.”

Of course she is right; but equally it is worth noting how important this tournament could have been for her. She was one of eight women who could have ended the fortnight as world number one – improbable, perhaps, for Konta, currently ranked seventh in the world, but certainly possible.

Konta revealed that she was planning to spend some time at home with her family before heading into the Asian hard-court swing - but she will, of course, know that she will need to be at her best to ensure that she makes the WTA Tour Finals. Last year she missed out by the narrowest of slivers, and ended the year in Singapore only as an unneeded alternate.

She now has five months to rid herself of these first-round Grand Slam yips – and prepare for another attempt at winning a maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne when January rolls round.