French Open 2019: Johanna Konta errors hand Marketa Vondrousova victory in semi-final meeting
Re-live all the action from Konta's first semi-final at Roland Garros
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Your support makes all the difference.Johanna Konta's hopes of reaching a first grand slam final were ended by a straight-sets loss to Czech teenager Marketa Vondrousova at the French Open.
This appeared a golden chance for Konta to become the first British woman to win a slam singles title since Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977, but she let winning positions in both sets slip away and went down 7-5 7-6 (2).
In the end it was 19-year-old Vondrousova who showed the greater composure, coming back from 5-3 down in both sets. Re-live the action below:
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*Konta 5-7 2-1 Vondrousova
There's the break! Vondrousova's focus slips and it's Konta who takes the game.
*Konta 5-7 2-1 Vondrousova
Konta mixes up her serve on the first point to bamboozle her opponent, who can only return as far as the net. A volleyed winner from the net sees the Briton subsequently move to 30-0 but it's the Czech who takes the next two points. 30-30.
Konta 5-7 3-1 Vondrousova*
More unforced errors from the pair and we're at 40-40.
For the next point, Konta pushes the Czech out wide to the left with a series of punishing forehand shots. The window of opportunity eventually arises and she shifts the direction of play with a pin-point backhand that Vondrousova stands no chance of returning. Advantage.
...And that's the game. Much better stuff from the Brit.
*Konta 5-7 3-2 Vondrousova
Vondrousova holds with relative ease. Nothing to see here. As you were.
*Konta 5-7 3-2 Vondrousova
Another unforced error from Konta fails to clear the net. She needs to cut this out of her game if she's going to stand any chance of beating the Czech. 0-15.
Konta 5-7 4-2 Vondrousova*
That's more like it. After taking the second point, Konta sends over a cross-court backhand winner that leaves Vondrousova rooted to the spot.
A composed forehand winner from the net seals the game, after she wisely opted against going for the volleyed smash following a lofty, scooped return from Vondrousova.
*Konta 5-7 4-3 Vondrousova
Crickey. Vondrousova quickly rushes to a 40-0 lead but she can't land the killer blow as she sends a forehand shot beyond the baseline.
Konta senses blood and, on the next point, exploits the space to the Czech's right with an inch-perfect backhand winner. 40-30.
But a failed return on Vondrousova's serve follows and that's that. The teenager holds.
*Konta 5-7 4-3 Vondrousova
Oof. Konta fires down her third ace of the game. 30-0.
*Konta 5-7 4-3 Vondrousova
The Czech nets and we're at 40-0. Vondrousova rallies, though, and after rushing to the net, it's Konta who makes the error, slicing on her backhand. 40-15.
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