Johanna Konta into final round of US Open qualifying

Johanna Konta moved to within one victory of the main draw at the US Open after defeating Japan's Kurumi Nara in the second round of qualifying.

Konta, who was the only British winner in the first round when she upset eighth seed Chang Kai-chen, beat Nara 7-5 6-2.

In Friday's final round, she faces China's world number 195 Zhang Shuai.

Konta, 21, was born in Australia but switched allegiance to Britain in May, having lived in England since 2005.

She made a slow start against Nara, who is ranked 46 places higher at 159, but overturned a 3-0 deficit and saved two set points at 5-4.

That proved the key moment as Konta broke serve before closing out the opener, overpowering her 5ft 2ins opponent in set two.

Compatriots Andy Murray, Heather Watson, Anne Keothavong and Laura Robson are all in the main draw by virtue of their rankings.

But James Ward, Josh Goodall and Naomi Broady all lost in the first round of qualifying.

Meanwhile, Watson and New Zealand team-mate Marina Erakovic beat Czech top seeds Iveta Benesova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in the doubles semi-finals at the Texas Open in Dallas.

Watson and Erakovic won 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 10-7 and will play Latvian Liga Dekmeijere and American Irina Falconi in the final.