What a difference 12 months can make.
One year after reaching the fourth round of the US Open as a qualifier ranked 97 in the world, Johanna Konta demonstrated her rising standing within the game with a simple straight sets opening victory over Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
The Brit, seeded 13th for this year’s tournament at Flushing Meadows – one place higher than her current world ranking – needed just 81 minutes to see off home favourite Mattek-Sands 6-3 6-3 in the evening session.
The American had been in strong form coming into the match having won mixed doubles gold at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games alongside compatriot Jack Sock.
But Konta, who herself reached the quarter-finals in Rio before succumbing to eventual runner up Angelique Kerber, made light work of her opponent on the newly built Grandstand arena to set up a second round clash with Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova.
"It's definitely never easy coming out for a first round of a Slam, especially against Bethanie coming off an Olympic [doubles] gold medal," said Konta, who joined Briton Kyle Edmund in tasting success on day one of the 2016 US Open.
"I knew she would be inspired and feed off the atmosphere. Thank you to everyone who stayed and supported us.
"It's pretty exciting to play in here. It's a shame we weren't the first, but it's pretty special, the whole venue.
"Every first round is where you need to find your feet, get into the rhythm of the tournament, and grand slams are that a much more exciting so I think I did a good thing with that.
"I think with Bethanie, the more emotion, the more tension that comes into a match, the better she plays, the more inspired she plays.
"It was important to make it as business-like as possible."
It was at this exact tournament where Konta enjoyed her breakthrough run 12 months ago, surpassing her previous tally of just one Grand Slam victory in her whole career to reach the fourth round.
A semi-final appearance at the Australian Open in January then followed while the British number one has continued to rise up the rankings ever since.
Her latest victory was a performance of control with her backhand and returning particularly impressive.
Next in wait lies Pironkova, a player ranked 71 in the world but a Wimbledon sem-finalist six years ago.
"She's a great player, been highly ranked," Konta added. "Her tennis level is very, very good.
“She has a lot of experience. In terms of specifics, I'll have to talk to my coach." Day two sees six Britons in singles action including Olympic Champion Andy Murray who takes on Lukas Rosol at around 02:00 Wednesday morning.
Sportsbeat 2016