Halep took the early break to start the match for 3-0. She kept it for 4-1, and it seemed like the Romanian was in full control of the match. However, Konta had other plans. The Brit became very solid on her serve, broke back, and took the first set to a tiebreak. Konta held on to Halep until 2-3, when the World No. 2 won 4 points in a row. Halep won the first set 7-2 in the tiebreak.
Konta continued to perform well on serve and got some looks on Halep’s service games too. The Brit had two break points at 4-3 and would have been serving for the set. That didn’t happen, and the second set went into a tiebreak too. Halep took a 3-1 lead and was serving for the match at 5-4 in the tiebreak. She lost both of the points on her serve, and Konta won the second set tiebreak 7-5.
Halep had a break point in the beginning of the final set. After a long and tedious game, Konta held to 1-1 and didn’t look back. The Brit broke for 3-2 and held the break for the remainder of the set, winning 6-7(2) 7-6(5) 6-4. The match point was very controversial. Before Halep’s last shot, a spectator shouted. It seemed to hinder Halep, who hit a very slow forehand which barely reached the net. No replay was ordered by umpire Kader Nouni, and the match was over.
Post-Match Comments:
Johanna Konta
Last Point
“Yeah, so I heard a scream, I think it was off my side of the court, towards the left. But I think the crowd, there were some overenthusiastic moments, which happens I think with every match where it comes to a tense moment. I think it’s a part of sport, the crowd getting excited and getting sometimes a little too involved.”
“But, again, I was just playing the next ball. I think we experienced it a couple of times in the match. All of us players have experienced that throughout our careers.”
Wimbledon Success
“Well, I’ve dreamed of success in every slam. I think it makes it more special because it is home. I do get that home support, which I don’t get anywhere else. In that sense, I guess it makes it that much sweeter. But more importantly, actually, I feel very, very happy and very excited for the battles that I’ve got to have so far in these Championships. I’ve been involved in some pretty great matches, actually, both of them were on Centre Court, the more epic ones. In that sense, in the way I feel my opponents have pushed me, and I in turn them, and to create such a, I guess, sporting excitement for the crowd, that makes it I think very special.”
Facing Venus
“Well, I think what Venus and her sister have given our sport is absolutely tremendous. The way they’ve elevated women’s tennis is truly inspiring. So I feel very excited and very humbled to be sharing the court with her again. We’ve had a few battles in the past. She’s got the better of me the last time we played, so I’m really looking forward to playing her.”
Simona Halep
Konta’s Bathroom Break
“Yeah, I don’t believe that were only four minutes. But she does that all the time. I cannot change because there is no rule. I understood from the umpire.”
Last Point
“I thought he’s going to repeat the point. I think it’s normal to repeat the point when someone is screaming like that. Yeah, because he said, We cannot replay. I cannot change anything. So why I should fight?”
No. 1
“Well, I don’t know how is to be No. 1. I’m not still there. It’s nice to be in the top 10 for so long time. I’m really pleased with my performance. Of course, one of my goals is to get to No. 1. But I had another chance here. I was close, I could say. But doesn’t affect me that much because I think I have many years ahead. So maybe I will have more chances. I’m close, so I have just to keep working.”
Despite her Round of 64 exit, Karolina Pliskova will become the 23rd WTA No. 1 player on Monday. WTA will return to having a slamless No. 1 after more than 5 years. Unlike the last slamless No. 1, Wozniacki, Pliskova has a hard hitting game and is expected to win slams very soon. The Czech was among the chief favorites at Wimbledon but was upset by now-semifinalist Magdalena Rybarikova.
Here is what Pliskova had to say about possibly becoming No. 1 after her loss to Rybarikova:
“Well, for me, the tournament is over. So whatever happens happens. I’m not going to pray for somebody’s losing or winning. So that’s not my thing anymore what is happening here.
I’m just going to take off and, yeah, let’s just wait who’s gonna win it. It’s a tough draw for everybody I think. There are some opponents which are tricky on the grass, which is tough even for the favorites. You could see it today. I think there is for the first two seeded girls, Angie and Simona, they have also some tough draw. Still depends how they’re gonna play.”
