BEIJING, China - A marathon opening day at the China Open came to an end as the clock approached midnight on Saturday, as No.10 seed Julia Goerges overcame Johanna Konta in the first round, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

Nearly 12 hours after play began on the National Tennis Stadium, Goerges needed two hours and 15 minutes to overcome the British No.1 in three sets, despite having been two games away from victory in the second set after coming from a break down twice.

The World No.10 served 12 aces in the win, and saved her best for when it mattered most, as she never faced a break point in the final set. 

Goerges struck 42 winners in the match to 29 unforced errors to blast her way past the World No.43 who totaled just 18 winners and 30 unforced. 

The German will next face the winner of Sunday's first round match between US Open quarterfinalist Lesia Tsurenko and qualifier Andrea Petkovic.

More to come...