Konta landmark after beating Keys in China Open semifinals
Johanna Konta became the first British woman to make the top 10 world rankings in 32 years after defeating Madison Keys in three sets yesterday in the China Open semifinals.
In the men’s event, topseeded Andy Murray dismissed David Ferrer in straight sets and plays Grigor Dimitrov in today’s final.
The 11th-seeded Konta beat eighth-seeded Keys 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-4 after 2 hours, 35 minutes under clear skies. Keys struggled on her second service, winning only 37 per cent of points.
Currently ranked 14th, Konta will break into the top 10 of the next WTA rankings - the first British woman to do so since Jo Durie in 1984. She also moves into the top eight of the Road to Singapore race.
The 25-year-old Konta faces the winner of yesterday’s other semifinal between Elina Svitolina and Agnieszka Radwanska.
Murray beat fifthseeded Ferrer 6-2, 6-3, while Dimitrov had a walkover against thirdseeded Milos Raonic, who injured his ankle during his quarterfinal victory against Pablo Carreno Busta on Friday.
Murray leads Dimitrov 7-3 in head-to-head meetings.