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By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, October 1, 2015

 
Venus Williams

Johanna Konta served for the match, but Venus Williams fought back for a 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 triumph to set up a Wuhan semifinal versus Roberta Vinci.

Photo credit: Wuhan Open

Johanna Konta grew up looking up to Venus Williams. The British qualifier spent their first meeting standing toe-to-toe with the seven-time Grand Slam champion in crackling rallies.

Two points from elimination, Williams stared down the demanding challenge playing her most dynamic tennis of the tournament.

More: Muguruza Powers Into Wuhan Semifinals

Konta served for the semifinals, but Williams staged a fierce fight back winning four straight games to close a 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 triumph that popped with some tremendous exchanges at critical stages.

"I can't believe I'm standing here as winner. Johanna played so well," said Williams after prevailing in a physically-punishing two-hours and 39 minutes. "She's had a wonderful summer as well. It seemed like I was finished. I felt the energy of the crowd behind me. It felt so good."

The 35-year-old American battled into her first semifinal since Doha in February. She will face 15th-seeded Roberta Vinci for a spot in the final. Vinci denied sister Serena's dream of completing the calendar Grand Slam with an upset for the ages in the US Open semifinals last month.

Asked about the prospect of gaining a measure of family revenge versus Vinci, Venus replied, "This is where I want to be at the end of the tournament and playing a match for the finals. So here we go tomorrow."

It was a wild ride to the semifinals as Konta hammered any mid-court ball she saw.

Williams thumped a big serve to hold for 5-2 after 34 minutes. Serving for the set, Williams got a glimpse of Konta's ball-striking skill. The Briton ripped a forehand return breaking at 15 for 4-5. Konta coughed up a double fault for a second set point. When the qualifier scattered a backhand wide, Williams had the opening set in 48 minutes.

Breaking in the fifth game, Konta issued a confident hold for 4-2. The woman who knocked out top-seeded Simona Halep yesterday showed no signs of fatigue from that test, saving a break point stretching lead to 5-3. Plastering a forehand return down the line, Konta broke to claim the 40-minute second set in which Williams served just 45 percent.

The depth of Konta's drive often denied Williams angles. When the world No. 24 tried to play down the middle, Konta made her pay.



“Today I was definitely waiting on a few errors which didn't come from her side,” said Williams. “I thought she was moving the ball around. I definitely feel like I can rely on my speed when I have to defend. There were definitely some good defense shots today.  Maybe not my best day on the court, but that's when I have to dig deep.”

Spraying a forehand long to face a second break point, Williams barked at herself in frustration. Running to fend off Konta's backhand down the line, Williams lifted another forehand long dropping serve to trail 1-3.

Raising her arms in exasperation toward coach David Witt, Williams got back to work. Blasting a forehand down the line, the veteran broke back for 2-3 after two hours of play.

Digging in closer to the baseline, Konta reeled off seven straight points earning triple break point. When Williams found the net, Konta snared the break and a 5-3 lead.

Serving for the semifinals, Konta could not close. On the second break point, Williams opened the court with a deep forehand then cranked a forehand winner down the line breaking back for 4-5.

“I think she played an incredible match and at a very high level,” said Konta afterwards.”I just feel very fortunate that I got to share the court with her. I went on court to win and to do my best. I did give my best. I gave my all today. It just wasn't enough.  Yeah, I lost to a pretty incredible champion.”

Stepping inside the baseline to apply pressure, Williams drew an errant forehand for double break point then earned the break on a double fault for 6-5.

The final game was the most dramatic of the match, featuring some high-quality, corner-to-corner rallies as Williams fought off two break points.

On match point, a sensational rally spanning more than 20 shots ensued. Konta showed her guts with a bold backhand drop shot, crept forward behind it and knocked off a backhand volley for deuce.

Catching her toss—and breath—before serving, Williams, attacked behind a forehand to earn a second match point. An 18-shot rally concluded with Konta netting a forehand as a weary Williams thrust her arms in the air winning a fierce fight with some exceptional moments from both women.


 

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