Konta, the first British woman to play in a Grand Slam semi-final in 33 years, lost 7-5 6-2 to Germany’s Angelique Kerber at the Australian Open.
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Williams cleaned up the first set in just 20 minutes before Radwanska elicited the largest cheer of the match when she held serve in the first game of the second set, avoiding an embarrassing potential “double bagel” 6-0 6-0 score.
We bring you a round-up of the action as first-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Johanna Konta went through to take on Angelique Kerber in the semi-finals, with Kerber herself taking a more convincing win.
She becomes the first German to reach the final at Melbourne Park since Anke Huber in 1996.
“I don’t think I missed an opportunity”, she said.
Six-time champion Serena Williams and No. 4-ranked Agnieszka Radwanska will meet in the other women’s semifinal, also on Thursday.
“But I really enjoyed my experience out there”. He called Konta’s strong run at the Australian Open “unbelievable”.
Konta fought valiantly, as she has throughout her fairytale run to the last four, but 26 unforced errors to 18 winners meant she provided Kerber with too much to work with. “If she continues the way she’s going, then she could earn up to seven figures from off-court ventures”.
Stung by dropping the first set, Azarenka broke Kerber immediately as the German lost focus, and then held serve to love as they traded blistering groundstrokes, probing for an opening.
Johanna Konta can win Grand Slam titles but may have to wait for Serena Williams to retire, says former French Open champion Sue Barker.
“It’s a really special moment to reach the final for the first time”, Kerber said.
The No. 4-ranked Radwanska broke Williams’ serve to level the second set at 3-3, but Williams broke Radwanska’s serve in the ninth game and closed with three aces and a forehand victor to win the match in 1 hour, 4 minutes. Here I am. I’m in the final for my first time (and) … right now I don’t have the pressure anymore because I show everybody, I show myself, that I can play.
The Briton, who has risen 100 rankings places in the past year, was on her tournament main draw debut having failed to come through qualifying last season.
“Physically I’m feeling a lot better, mentally I needed that break after the Open”, Williams said, but “I didn’t think I would do this well this fast”.
Holding with a solid service game, which included her 21st ace for the tournament, there was suddenly a match on as Konta grew in confidence and Kerber tightened up. The 27-year-old Zhang entered the Australian Open with a 0-14 record in Grand Slam matches, and was considering retirement.
Konta stayed on the attack as her serve started to fire and she surged 4-3 in front.
“I started hitting the ball better from the back of the court”.
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“Britain is looking for a new golden girl now after the hysteria of Jess Ennis and the preceding Denise Lewis but she still has a big job to do and there needs to be a reality check”. She’s been in tennis’ upper echelon ever since, making the 2012 Wimbledon semifinals, and winning six career titles, including four a year ago.
