Wimbledon 2017: Venus Williams ends Johanna Konta dream to reach final
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ByEurosport
Updated 14/07/2017 at 07:07 GMT
Five-times champion Venus Williams rolled back the years to reach her first Wimbledon final since 2009 with a clinically executed 6-4 6-2 victory over British hope Johanna Konta on Thursday.
Venus Williams of The United States celebrates victory as Johanna Konta of Great Britain looks dejected during the Ladies Singles semi final match on day ten of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wim
Image credit: Getty Images
Konta was looking to become the first woman on home soil to reach the Wimbledon final since Virginia Wade in 1977, but she was picked off at crucial times by the 37-year-old Williams, who will face Garbine Muguruza in Saturday's final.
Williams, who claimed the last of her Wimbledon titles nine years ago, was too strong for her opponent from the baseline and was able to produce booming serves whenever the Briton threatened.
After initially going toe-to-toe with the seven-times grand slam winner, Konta was unable to put Williams under sustained pressure and ended the contest a clear second best, losing eight of the final 10 games.
Konta saved two match points before Williams finally ended her resistance, smashing a forehand that flew past the Briton and left the American to twirl in celebration on Centre Court.
"I've played a lot of finals here. One more win will be amazing. It won't be a given but I'll give it my all," Williams said.
The crowd were very nice to me. The crowd were so fair, I know they love Jo.
Konta's one chance to upset Williams came in the ninth game of the first set when the Briton crafted two break points, but Williams saved the first with a backhand winner and launched a 106mph second serve to level the score at deuce.
That was as good as it got for Konta, who was immediately broken in the next game.
Williams then turned the screw on her sixth-seeded opponent, breaking twice more to wrap up the match in an hour and 13 minutes.
Williams broke twice in the second set before using all her guile and experience to see it out and reach a first final in SW19 since 2009.
Reporting by Reuters
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