Smashed to Brits ...but I’ll be back vows brave Jo
® JOHANNA KONTA has already set her sights on winning Wimbledon next year after crashing out at the hands of Venus Williams.
Konta’s dream of becoming Britain’s first women’s singles winner since 1977 was shattered as Williams
(right), who faces Garbine Muguruza in tomorrow’s final, eased to a 6-4 6-2 win.
But Konta refused to be too downhearted and has vowed to come back better than ever in 12 months.
The 26-year-old said: “Hopefully next time I will be able to go a step further.
“It’s a nice achievement but I’m looking to keep
getting better. I’m not satisfied with where I am now, I do want to keep improving.
“I definitely want to keep pushing myself to be the best I can be.”
Konta admitted Williams had been too good for her on the day.
She added: “She dictated the match from the very first ball to the very last.
“She showed her true qualities and why she’s a five-time champion.
“It was very difficult to get a foothold. The few opportunities that I did get, she did incredibly well to take them away from me.
“But in terms of how comfortable I felt out there and how focused I was, I felt really good.
“Don’t get me wrong, I would love to be playing on Saturday, but it only strengthens my belief that I will be able to keep myself in that mental and physical state to be able to deal with one day playing for a title.”
It’s a remarkable achievement by Williams, 37, who came into the tournament just weeks after being involved in a fatal crash in Florida.
She is just one match away from a sixth title, nine years after her last.
Williams, looking to succeed younger sister Serena, said: “I had a lot of issues.
“This year has been amazing in terms of my play, playing deep into the big events. Of course I’m excited about being in another final.
“Now I try to take it a step further.”