KONTA HANDS ‘INCREDIBLE’ SERENA HER WORST EVER DEFEAT
JO KONTA handed Serena Williams the worst defeat of her career as she became the first British player ever to beat the American superstar.
The British No.1 destroyed the former world No.1 6-1 6-0 in just 51 minutes at the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose – and won the final 12 games after Williams held her opening service game.
The 23-time Grand Slam winner – playing for the first time since her defeat in the Wimbledon final – had never lost a match without taking at least two games since turning professional in 1995.
“I know I can play a zillion times better,” said Williams, who beat Konta (right) in their only previous meeting in the Australian Open quarterfinal and had also seen off Heather Watson and Laura Robson.
Ruthless Konta said she had to play the world No.26 – not her reputation. “I tried to put aside the incredible champion she is and just play the player of the day,” she said. “She wasn’t playing her best level – nowhere near – so I tried to play the match on my terms. It is difficult to play Serena, or her sister, who have done so much in the sport.”
Konta won her maiden WTA title at this event in Stanford in 2016, but is down to world No.48 after going out in the second round at Wimbledon.
She faces US teenager Sofia Kenin, while Watson plays Venus Williams in the second round.