Angelique Kerber is into her first Grand Slam final after defeating Johanna Konta 7-5, 6-2 in the Australian Open semifinals on Thursday.
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Having seen her resolve during the quarter-final with Ekaterina Makarova, it was clear that Konta could hold her nerve when she had to, but Kerber managed to whittle the defenses down at the crucial end of the first set, cracking Konta with on a second break point to take a set advantage over the Brit.
Radwanska, now 0-9 against Williams in her career, said the early moments of this match were overwhelming.
“I’m not even angry because I know she was just playing too good today”, Radwanska said. Unbelievable serve. Everything, she was going for it. I couldn’t do much. Not at all, actually.
“I think she wrote me, but I was not able to check it right now”. Her Grand Slam wins still totaled 21, trailing behind her goal of reaching Steffi Graf’s 22 and beyond.
“I feel I’m playing the best I can and I can’t believe I’m in the final”. I was just standing there kind of watching.
Williams is, incredibly, yet to drop a set – and add to that the fact she has lost just 26 games at Melbourne Park this year.
Angelique Kerber has booked her spot in a first grand slam final after beating Johanna Konta in the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Thursday. I just remember her serving really well, her moving well, her being determined to win that. I’ve shown good signs. “I’m really hungry to keep improving and keep enjoying what I’m doing”.
Sydney-born Konta beat seven-time major victor Venus Williams in the first round of the tournament.
Williams missed out on a 22nd title at the US Open a year ago after winning all three other Grand Slams in 20015, the Australian and French Opens and Wimbledon.
“I was extra busy on my new collection that I’m starting”, said Williams, a some-times fashion designer, who is wearing one of own designs – a neon-yellow crop-top with pleated skirt – on the court in Melbourne.
“Well, she took out a really tough opponent in Victoria [Azarenka]”, Williams said of Kerber.
“Physically I’m feeling a lot better, mentally I needed that break after the US Open and now I just feel so good, it’s great, I didn’t think I’d do so well so fast”. “I got a lot of messages yesterday”.
Despite the loss, the 27-year-old’s WTA ranking is projected to move from 133 to the top 70, making Zhang China’s No. 1 and inching her closet to a slot in Rio de Janeiro, where only the top 56 players compete.
In an instant, Williams leapt ahead of Radwanska, securing a break in the first game of their semifinal match.
Britain will now have to wait for its first female player to reach a Grand Slam final since Virginia Wade in 1977.
“I’m really looking forward to taking this challenge”.
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She barely got a backhand return to a Williams serve then stood, with slumping shoulders, and watched as the 34-year-old put the overhead smash away. She has beaten Williams once before in six tries, in the summer of 2012.
