Unseeded Czech Barbora Strycova will face Serena Williams in the semi-finals after upsetting Britain's Johanna Konta on a stunned Centre Court
Tuesday 9 July 2019 20:02, UK
Johanna Konta's hopes of reaching back-to-back Grand Slam semi-finals were dashed by wily Czech veteran Barbora Strycova at Wimbledon on Tuesday.
Unseeded Strycova ended Konta's hopes for another year with a 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 victory to make it through to her very first Grand Slam semi-final.
It was particularly disappointing coming after Konta's performances in the last two rounds, where she had recovered from a set down to defeat top-10 duo Sloane Stephens and Petra Kvitova.
Konta said: "I guess what happened is that I have an opponent on the other side of the court who has everything to say in how the match goes, as well.
"I think she was playing very well. I think I couldn't quite find the level that I needed to make it difficult and challenging for the kind of player she is.
"She's a very difficult player to play on this surface, and in general. She's a very good player.
"It's just unfortunate I couldn't quite find the level needed to come through."
Strycova will take on Serena Williams for a place in Saturday's final after the seven-time Wimbledon champion defeated her fellow American Alison Riske to make it through.
Konta, who reached the French Open semi-finals last month, lost the first set for the third successive match at Wimbledon to trail Strycova.
The British No 1 led 4-1 against her unseeded Czech opponent but a host of errors helped Strycova recover the break before the 33-year-old went on to win the tie-break.
Strycova, who lost to Petra Kvitova at the same stage in 2014, executed her tactics superbly as she wore Konta down, and the 19th seed found herself in deeper trouble when she dropped serve in the second game.
The end was nigh when Konta blazed a forehand drive volley over the baseline to drop serve again in the sixth game, and a final error sealed a fine victory for Strycova.
