The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Konta back in groove to book semi-final spot
Johanna Konta reached her first semi-final since Wimbledon last year with a 6-4, 6-2 victory against Dalila Jakupovic at the Nature Valley Open in Nottingham yesterday.
The British number one has hit form on grass after a disappointing season so far and proved too steady for an erratic opponent.
Konta next faces Croatian Donna Vekic, who beat her in the final 12 months ago.
It was a first meeting between Konta and Jakupovic and it was the Slovenian who made the first move with a break for 2-1. But Konta did not panic and seized her chance when her opponent became more wayward, winning four games in a row to take the first set.
Jakupovic had an early break in the second as well butKontawasquicklyback on terms and ensured there were no slip-ups against a demoralised opponent.
Konta said: “It was very tricky, quite windy. The most important thing is that I’m competing well and fighting for every single point. I’m enjoying getting more matches under my belt.”
After their match in Nottingham 12 months ago, Konta and Vekic met in the second round of Wimbledon, with the British player coming through 10-8 in the deciding set. “We’ve had some incredible battles,” said Konta.
British number four Katie Boulter was making her first appearance in a WTA Tour quarter-final but lost 6-0, 6-2 to top seed Ashleigh Barty.
In the men’s event, which is on the secondtier Challenger Tour, Dan Evans reached his second successive semi-final with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 victory against Canadian qualifier Brayden Schnur.
The former British number two is making the most of his opportunities on his favoured grass as he works his way back from a drugs ban.
In a feisty contest, Evans saved a set point in the opening set before claiming the only break of the match to set up a match with Spain’s Marcel Granollers.
Evans was one of two British players hoping to make the last four but James Ward fell 6-4, 6-3 to Ilya Ivashka.