Comeback queen Johanna Konta praises 'magnificent support' as she digs in to beat Petra Kvitova
We might have to start calling it a Komeback. For the second match in succession, Johanna Konta dug deeper than a team of archaeologists, fighting her way to a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Petra Kvitova and so sustaining British hopes for another day.
Just like she did against Sloane Stephens on Saturday, Konta dropped the first set to a world-class opponent - in this case the world No6 and two-time former Wimbledon champion. On the grass of Centre Court, a surface made for front-runners, such early deficits are not easy to overcome.
But Konta is developing a diehard quality that makes her tennis’s answer to Bruce Willis. If she takes a match deep, look out, because she has now won 14 of her last 15 three-setters.
This remarkable statistic stands as a tribute to her conditioning, her work ethic, and above all her ability to absorb her opponents’ brilliance without becoming demoralised. As she said on Monday night, “I knew going into it [that] there will be big pockets of the match where I will have very little say in it, whether it's going for me or against me.”
On paper, Konta’s opponent in Tuesday’s quarter-final – another Czech, in world No. 54 Barbora Strycova – might seem like a significant step down in class. But these are topsy-turvy days on the women’s tour, by contrast with the deflatingly predictable men’s game.
Strycova plays a very different style to the foot-to-the-floor hitting of Kvitova, mixing in junkballs with her trademark double-handed slice and making frequent forays to the net. Konta, who prefers her opponents to keep a steady rhythm, will need to be ready to adapt.
What we don’t know is how Strycova will deal with the full-throated support provided by 15,000 fans on Centre Court. This is only her second grand-slam quarter-final, at her 53rd attempt, and the previous instance happened to come at Wimbledon against Kvitova in 2014. But she is a sparky character, a 33-year-old who admits that she may be on her final circuit of the big tournaments. It’s highly possible that the role of pantomime villain could suit her.
To return to 2014, Kvitova went on to win the title that year, producing one of the all-time great final performances to blitz Eugenie Bouchard in just 55 minutes. For the first set of yesterday’s match, she was tapping into the same vein of inspiration.
The sound of ball on racket rang out like gunfire as Kvitova ripped through her opening service game with four straight groundstroke winners. Breaking serve in the final game to claim the first set, she was making Konta look underpowered – and that is not an easy thing to do.
But one issue for Kvitova this year is that she has lacked matches coming in, thanks to a forearm strain that she sustained in Rome almost a month ago. Her level dropped for an instant at the start of the second set, and Konta seized on the opportunity like a hungry wolf, breaking to love with a forehand pass. She then consolidated with a courageous 13-minute hold, saving two break points in what was probably the key game of the match.
Standing 6ft tall, with the long limbs of a basketball player, Kvitova makes for a fearsome sight when she charges forward to the net – a Valkyrie in a white headband. But Konta was now defusing her ballistic forehands like a bomb disposal expert, and somehow bypassing her enormous wingspan at the net. Kvitova’s serve, almost untouchable in the first set, was broken four times in her last seven attempts as the match ran away from her.
There was still a small twist in the tale. At 5-2 up in the decider. Konta faltered on her first attempt to serve the match out, backing off her trusty forehand just enough to allow a glimmer of doubt to creep in. As Kvitova let out a guttural screech of “Pojd” – Czech for “Come on” – those who saw Konta blow a golden chance to reach last month’s French Open final must have wondered if history was about to repeat itself.
To her great credit, Konta steeled herself and closed out her victory via one last Kvitova error. She has absorbed that Parisian disappointment superbly, just as she absorbed Kvitova’s pacey hitting. As Pete Sampras used to say, one of the key virtues for a champion tennis player is selective forgetfulness.
Kvitova bypassed her media commitments last night, citing personal issues, but she did put out a statement that gave her view of the match. “Suddenly she started to play much better [at the start of the second set]. I actually felt no energy in my legs so I couldn’t move that well but by the third I was pumped again. She was really on fire and I had my chances but couldn’t take them.”
It would be stretching things to say that Konta’s recent form at Wimbledon – which included a semi-final appearance in 2017 – puts her on a par with two-time champion Andy Murray. But she is increasingly feeling like this decade’s answer to Tim Henman: a player who channels the energy of Centre Court to produce her best performances on home soil.
Konta endured a troubled 2018 season – a result of what she later called burnout – but since leading Great Britain to Fed Cup triumph over Kazakhstan in March she has won 22 of her last 28 matches. At this rate, she is on course to return to the world’s top ten by the autumn. But if she can figure out Strycova, she will have bigger targets in her sights.
Jo Konta wins
and is through to the last eight.
She beats Petra Kvitova 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. A gutsy effort to recover from the disappointment of losing a very tight first set. Kvitova's level dropped at the start of the second though and Konta was on top for most of the last two sets. A fine win against a woman who has won the Title here twice. Hard lines to the likable, tough Czech player - and well done Jo Konta.
Kvitova* 6-4 2-6 4-6 Konta (*denotes next to serve)
15-15, and Kvitova hits it long. Konta serves this game out with real authority as it turns out and that is game, set and match to the British number one.
Kvitova 6-4 2-6 4-5 Konta* (*denotes next to serve)
Petra Kvitova has won Wimbledon twice and come back from being stabbed in her own home to reach a Slam final. You don't have that on your CV if you're not a tough cookie. Here she is holding her serve and say to Jo Konta: "go on then."
Jo Konta serves for the match for the second time.
Kvitova* 6-4 2-6 3-5 Konta (*denotes next to serve)
Opportunity for Petra Kvitova! It's 30-40 on the Konta serve. Can Jo raise her level again? First serve into the net. Second serve is a good one, she plays a great point on the front foot, and her Czech opponent defends like a tiger. But Konta wins the point.
Here is a break point. Dolly service, ah but PK cannot do anything with it. Konta has tightened up a bit. Kvitova looks physically a bit shot but is gutsy.
Third break point! Kvitova has a huge chance but drains it long. Deuce. Now Advantage Konta...
But she's hit that two yards wide. Back to deuce...
Drop shot from Konta! It's a peach! Her opponent cannot get there and it is match point Jo.
Not this time. And a fine rally from Kvitova gives her a fourth break point. All happening in this ten minute game... She hits a groundstroke long and Jo Konta is broken!!
Kvitova 6-4 2-6 2-5 Konta* (*denotes next to serve)
Petra is hanging on in there. Wins this game. Next up: break the Konta serve.
Britain's number one Johanna Konta will serve for the match.
Kvitova* 6-4 2-6 1-5 Konta (*denotes next to serve)
Can Konta press home this advantage with the hold? At 15-40, she's in a bit of trouble but she saves the first break point. And comes to the net, big wingspan, dominant now. Kvtiova looks to have run her race as she slaps it into the net and slumps. 40-40. And soon Kvitova sends another groundstroke long, it's game, and Konta is one game away now.
Kvitova 6-4 2-6 1-4 Konta* (*denotes next to serve)
At 15-15 Konta sticks out that long right arm and produces a magnificent passing shot. And at 30-30, with all the time in the world, Petra K hits the ball long. 30-40 and this is going to be all over if she loses this. And lose it she does! broken again
Kvitova* 6-4 2-6 1-3 Konta (*denotes next to serve)
But Jo needs to consolidate and has a moment to defend here at 30-40. GEts out of that jam and holds her serve. She's 15 decent minutes work away from the quarter finals here.
Kvitova 6-4 2-6 1-2 Konta* (*denotes next to serve)
Moment! Some fine hitting from Konta, it is 0-30 on the Kvitova serve and Konta has a big chance. Konta decides to play a sliced drop volley from the backhand back of the court. I just cannot see that as a percentage shot for her. Into the net.
Kvitova wins the next point as well for 30-30.
But a double fault takes us to deuce....
A weak shot from Kvitova opens it up for JK, who has all the time in the world to slot away a double handed backhand.
Break point. Konta sends the ball to the back of the court, called out, they need a look on the replay and it is in. Konta wins the point and has broken the serve of Kvitova.
Kvitova* 6-4 2-6 1-1 Konta (*denotes next to serve)
Konta holds her own service game without much difficulty.
Kvitova 6-4 2-6 1-0 Konta* (*denotes next to serve)
Kvitova wins the first game by tucking away an easy volley and lets out a primal barbaric yawp like a woman who has just won the Final! Is she firing herself up?
Right then!
A decider. Who do you fancy? Kvitova was flat and low in that set, and I don't mean her groundstrokes. Can Konta find the self-belief? Will that ankle bother her? I guess we will find out!
Kvitova* 6-4 2-6 Konta (*denotes next to serve)
No muss no fuss, it's soon 40-15 and Konta wraps things up in some style with an ace! Game and second set Jo Konta
Konta ready to continue
Serving for the set.
Johanna Konta getting treatment
Looks more like a bit of stiffness or something rather than like a turned ankle or whatever. Magic spray.
Talking of barefoot Aussies, Langer apparently has them all with their boots off on the ground during warm up.
Kvitova 6-4 2-5 Konta* (*denotes next to serve)
Konta with a nice lob here, no mean feet to get it over Petra Kvitova! That makes it 40-30 and Kvitova now sends a groundstroke long. Deuce. Perhaps Konta won't even need to serve it out? No, she will. Kvitova holds.
Kvitova* 6-4 1-5 Konta (*denotes next to serve)
I assume he or she will emerge at the set break, because Konta carries on serving merrily enough. At 40-30, she finds the net cord. But Kvitova cannot do anything with the second serve and it's soon 5-1.
Jo Konta has called for the physio
on an ankle problem...
Kvitova 6-4 1-4 Konta* (*denotes next to serve)
Kvitova holds that service game, although not comfortably, and is on the board in the second set at least. She looks flat and lacking in energy at the moment and Konta has a big, big chance in this match.
Kvitova* 6-4 0-4 Konta (*denotes next to serve)
It's Jo Konta versus the Umpire. Linesman calls it out, it's in, and they replay the point. Konta expresses reasonable irritation. She is soon able to put that behind her, though, and it's 40-0. Kvitova needs to change something up, she's going backwards in this set. Charges into the net, wins the point, but there is no returning the next serve and that's 4-0. This set surely going to Konta.
Kvitova 6-4 0-3 Konta* (*denotes next to serve)
Kvitova is having a wobble! She's struggling at 15-40 in this game as well and Konta has a chance with a running passing shot that just fails to get over the net. No dice that time but Kvitova drains a weak shot into the net on the next point and Konta is now sitting pretty with the double break of serve.
Kvitova* 6-4 0-2 Konta (*denotes next to serve)
But she struggles to hold on to that break here. At 30-40 the players have an exchange at the net, Kvitova again shows questionable decision making and Konta levels it at deuce. Konta cannot put this game away though, a dodgy lob sends us back to deuce. Mighty return from Kvitova makes it 40-A and a second breaks point. Both of these are fine when they are serving and walloping it but neither has all that much in the way of a tennis brain.
A crunching service return from PK gives us our fourth deuce. Konta, to be fair, fighting hard and bravely to hold this serve. Weak shot from Jo. Fifth deuce. This game coming up for ten minutes. Konta, out wide in the van court, plonks a double handed backhand a yard out. Sixth deuce. Ace from Konta! Now Konta tries a delicate drop shot, like watching a lock forward drinking from bone china. Into the net about three feet too low. Seventh deuce. Eventually she holds!
Kvitova 6-4 0-1 Konta* (*denotes next to serve)
But Konta is on top here! She attacks and Kvitova's level just drops a tiny bit. It is 0-40 and Kvitova comes to the net, unwisely, leaving acres of real estate. Konta drills the ball into the gap and that is a break of serve.
Britain's number one is back in business!
First set to Kvitova
Fine, fine margins.
Only 55% of first serves in for JK...
Kvitova* 6-4 Konta (*denotes next to serve)
With a bit of help from the net chord, Kvitova wins a point that makes this 15-30. Konta's turn to need some big serving. At 30-30, Konta hits long and now it is Kvitova who has the break point.
30-40....
Konta serves down the middle, out. Second serve sits up tamely, Kvitova hammers it back and Konta's timing deserts her as she gallumphs it long... out... Game and the First Set Petra Kvitova.
Kvitova 5-4 Konta* (*denotes next to serve)
Here is a moment though. The players are both centre of the baseline whanging the ball hard at each other for an exchange of several shots - Kvitova puts one long and it is 0-30. Second serve... really long rally, the longest of the match so far, longer than some of the games almost. Konta is the one who makes the mistake first. Both players roar, in triumph and frustration respectively.
A fine return from Konta now sees Kvitova hit into the net and Konta has two break points. Kvitova saves one with a nasty serve down the middle and a simple volley. Another big serve now, and it's 40-40.
Konta swings for the fences out wide now but that is a foot out. Konta wraps the game up and SCREAMS.
First moment of opportunity for Konta goes a-begging. Kvitova really raised her game there.
Kvitova* 4-4 Konta (*denotes next to serve)
Another brisk affair, Konta hols serve with authority.
Eight games in and we have had just nine points won against serve, six of those against the Konta serve, three against PK.
Kvitova 4-3 Konta* (*denotes next to serve)
Some quality hitting so far from both players, although not in all honesty quality entertainment yet. The BBC already doing an "around the courts" job. Gauff apparently not feeling too well and her Wimbledon looks to be coming to an end against Halep.
Anyhow, PK wins this service game at a canter.
Kvitova* 3-3 Konta (*denotes next to serve)
These two players both getting those long levers working, some powerful serving and shotmaking. It's the 5' 11" Konta here who peels off another service game.
Kvitova 3-2 Konta* (*denotes next to serve)
30-15. Petra Kvitova serves her second ace, wide and swinging away. She has soon sealed this game.
There have been 26 rallies so far and only two of them have had five shots or more..
Kvitova* 2-2 Konta (*denotes next to serve)
Tame second serve from Konta allows Kvitova to unload a mighty groundstroke for the first point of the game. Jo wins the next three but then double faults. At 40-30 Konta serves down the centre, it's out despite the challenge. Kvitova wins the next point. And we have our first deuce. Konta seals the game with a serve out wide.
Just the first tiny hints of some pressure being applied by the returner of serve.
Kvitova 2-1 Konta* (*denotes next to serve)
Ace out wide. Unreturned down centre. 30-0. Konta gets the next one back but not for long. 40-0. Konta has a chance to get into the point here when Kvitova's approach shot is tame, but nothing doing and that's another breezy game to love.
Kvitova* 1-1 Konta (*denotes next to serve)
And Konta wins her own service game even more efficiently.
Kvitova 1-0 Konta* (*denotes next to serve)
No hanging about. Both players have big serves and hard groundstrokes and so you wouldn't expect too many long rallies. Kvitova into the net a couple of times to kill rallies with volleys, and without fuss, in a game to 15.
The players are ready
It is Petra Kvitova to serve.
Martina
"I think if Petra had had more practice I would back her, but Konta has had more match practice recently so I slightly favour her."
It's Umpire Sexy Man!
Kader Nouni, whose soothing baritone saw him dubbed The Barry White of Tennis a couple of years back.
Kvitova
"I know that the crowd will be on her side but I kind of like that. And the English people are very polite."
Here come the players
Konta first to emerge. She is onto the court, bouncing on her feet. At the net for a few words with the ump, and her opponent.
On BBC it's a Johann Konta Montage
A Kontage if you will. She is about to come out onto Centre Court. Martina Navratilova on pundit detail for this one, so they have got the big guns out.
Well, Nadal has finished off
the chap form Portugal with the minimum of fuss. So let's get ready to Konta.
Konta has her work cut out
British number one Johanna Konta is second on centre court against Petra Kvitova once Rafael Nadal and João Sousa have played. Sousa has been something of a Brit killer this year, doing for Paul Jubb in the first round and Dan Evans in the third. Something of a different challenge today, to put it mildly, but hard to predict exactly when that will finish.
When it does, it'll be Konta-Kvitova.
Massive day for Jo Konta, then, who bombed out of Wimbledon at the second round last time and could surely do with a performance here to build on a solid run to the semis in Paris, and keep the home flag flying here into sharp end of the tournament.
Konta needed to dig deep in her last match against Sloane Stephens, and maybe she will find Kvitova a suitable match-up? Both hit a big ball, hard and flat, and the athletic if one-dimensional Konta might be at her best fighting fire with fire rather than matching up against a touch opponent.
She told Simon Briggs that she is drawing inspiration from the BBC's Killing Eve.
Petra Kvitova has had a genuinely remarkable time of things. Attacked by a knife-wielding assailant in her own home in December 2016, she was injured in her racket hand. Surgeons told her she was very unlikely to compete at the top level again. Not surprisingly, she also suffered a lot of psychological trauma. Many, many fans were rooting for her when she made it to the final of the Australian Open this year, and though it wasn't to be that day against Naomi Osaka, she remains a hugely popular, talented and inspirational figure. She is currently ranked six in the world, and is of course a two-time winner here.
This pair have played three times with Kvitova 3-1 to the good. She put Konta away in straight sets at the 2015 US Open, but the gap is narrower now. Konta's sole success against the Czech left-hander came on grass at Eastbourne in 2016. Kvitova won on this surface last year in Birmingham though.
Kvitova won her match in the last round in just 68 minutes, putting Poland's Magda Linette to the sword 6-3, 6-2. Kvitova hit 23 winners against just 15 unforced errors, with 74 percent of her first serves finding the mark. The Polish player did not have so much as a break point.
"I think I played pretty aggressive. It was kind of the key of it. I moved pretty well, as well. From the first point, I felt great," said PK. She sounds in formidable form.
The bookies have Konta about 6-4 to win this and Kvitova is 2-1 on to sink the last British battleship in this years singles draws, male or female. The search for the legacy continues...
And the draw has certainly opened up with the Barty result earlier today.
Clears a path for somebody, no?
