Special K but no final for Jo
Going: Good-good to firm in places Draw: Low numbers best on the straight track, especially when soft ABE LINCOLN BARSANTI VICTORY BOND ROYAL HOUSEHOLD COTAI GLORY BYRON FLYER JIM ROCKFORD JOHANNA KONTA’S Wimbledon dream went up in smoke as she was beaten in the semi-finals by an inspired Venus Williams.
Konta was hoping to become Britain’s first female singles champion in 40 years at SW19 but Williams proved a class above and sealed a 6-4 6-2 victory.
The British number one had two break points at the end of the opening set but failed to capitalise and, instead, it was Williams who broke the very next game.
The American never looked back.
Williams goes through to her ninth singles final at Wimbledon where she will face Spain’s Garbine Murguruza tomorrow for the chance to win her eighth grand slam title.
“I’ve played a lot of finals here. One more win will be amazing,” said Williams.
“It won’t be a given but I’ll give it my all.
“The crowd were very nice to me. The crowd were so fair, I know they love Jo. “I think Jo handled the pressure. “No point was easy. I tried to climb on top and get another point.”
On the prospects of the final against Muguruza, 20 years after making her debut at the All England Club, Williams added: “Both Garbine and I play so well on grass.
“I’ll have to ask Serena (Serena Williams defeated Muguruza in the 2015 final) for advice.
“I missed Serena terribly before the match. I wish she was here.”
Virginia Wade, our last winner, said: “I thought Jo played really well. But when she came up with an edge, Venus did even better.”
Muguruza tormented Magdalena Rybarikova for an hour and five minutes before clinching a second Wimbledon final appearance.
Muguruza was a 6-1 6-1 winner against a player who had said it was her childhood dream to play in a semi-final on Centre Court but saw the occasion turn into a nightmare.
“I think I played very well for sure,” Muguruza said.
“It was a tricky match, she’s a very talented player and was playing very good during the tournament.
“I stepped up on the court super confident and everything went well.”