Konta was struggling with her footing, slipping on more than one occasion at the back of the court – including one particularly heavy one in the second set that reduced her to tears – and despite forcing break-back points on the Pliskova serve, lost what was her fifth set of the day, 6-3.
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“It’s not too bad playing two matches on the same day, the adrenalin takes over”.
The big-serving champion on grass at Nottingham earlier this month ruined Konta’s attempt to reach her first final and to become the first British player to do so at Eastbourne since Virginia Wade in 1976.
Dominika Cibulkova, who beat No.1 seed Agnieska Radwanska 6-4, 7-6, 6-3 in their quarter final earlier in the day, is in action against Monica Puig in the other semi-final.
The Slovak will play Karolina Pliskova for the title after the Czech defeated Britain’s Johanna Konta 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3.
“I’m playing really well and got confidence from beating Aga in the first match”.
Australian Open finalist Cibulkova from Slovakia, trailed 6-4, 3-2 when their quarterfinal was forced off court at Devonshire Park on a rainy Thursday night. “I’m extremely happy – I’m playing so well”. “I just kept going”.
Radwanska said that despite her loss, she is confidently focused on the Monday start of Wimbledon where she was runner-up in 2012. “Well, what can you do?” she said.
Konta rallied after losing her opening service game against Makarova, who won the 2010 title.
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The pendulum swung with consecutive breaks before Konta ramped up the pressure with four aces in a single game to level the second set at 4-4. That was the same player she beat on the south coast a year ago at the start of her rise, and also in the fourth round of the Australian Open.
