Johanna Konta in pictures: The most stunning photographs of the tennis star
JOHANNA KONTA was defeated by Venus Williams in a historic Wimbledon semi-final clash today. Here are some of the most stunning photos of the tennis ace.
Johanna Konta is the first British woman to make it to a Wimbledon semi-final since 1978
Konta lost to Venus Williams on Centre Court this afternoon after becoming the first British woman to reach a Wimbledon semi-final since Virginia Wade in 1978.
The tennis player is fast becoming one of Britain’s most loved sporting stars, despite losing to Williams 6-4, 6-2 at the All England Club.
Konta fought hard for her place in the semi-finals, with three of her five matches in the previous rounds going to a third set, but in the end the American was too strong.
Her enthralling quarter-final tie against Romanian Simona Halep ended 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, with many describing it as the best Wimbledon performance from a British woman in decades.
Konta faced a tough opponent in five-time champion Venus Williams, but the British player had the full backing of Andy Murray and the rest of the nation.
After his defeat to Sam Querrey on Wednesday, Murray said: "I hope she goes on to win the tournament. She's certainly got a fantastic chance - there's no reason why she can't do it.”
Britain's Konta reaches Wimbledon semi-final after beating Halep
Konta is fast becoming one of Britain's best loved sporting stars
But Konta remained confident of a victory and said she felt “excited and very humbled” by the home support.
“When you get a massive crowd of people cheering, making that sort of noise in a stadium, you do get goosebumps,” she told BBC Sport.
Konta represented Australia until 2012
Konta is Britain's last hope of singles glory at the All England Club
Williams, 37, who wants to win her first major title since 2008, has had a relatively comfortable tournament so far - winning all but one of her matches in straight sets.
In the build-up to the clash today, Williams said that Konta reminds her of herself and that the players have a “very similar style” of tennis.
She added: “Aggressive, serve well, return well, very solid off the ground. So really it’s just about playing that game better and see where you find openings on the day.”
Konta has fought hard to earn her place in the semi-final
Jo Konta faces Venus Williams in the Wimbledon semi-final today
Johanna Konta’s Wimbledon journey
Round of 128 - July 3
Konta beats Hsieh Su-wei 6-2, 6-2
Round of 64 - July 5
Konta beats Donna Vekić 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 10-8
Round of 32 - July 7
Konta beats Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-1
Round of 16 - July 10
Konta beats Caroline Garcia 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-4
Quarter-final - July 11
Konta beats Simona Halep 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-5), 6-4
Johanna Konta laughing in a press conference
Here is the order of play for Centre Court today:
Garbine Muguruza (14) v Magdalena Rybarikova
Johanna Konta (6) v Venus Williams (10)
Jamie Murray & Martina Hingis (1) v Max Mirnyi & Ekaterina Makarova (12) OR Ken Skupski & Jocelyn Rae (WC)