Sports

Strycova to play Serena for Wimbledon final place

Published

5 years ago

July 9, 2019

Unseeded Barbora Strycova will play seven – time champion Serena Williams for a place in the Wimbledon final after an impressive 7 – 6 ( 7 /5 ) 6 – 1 victory over Britain ’ s 19 th seed Johanna Konta on Tuesday.

The 33 – year – old Czech — who has ousted four seeds on her run to the semi – finals — last had been mulling over retiring but may have a rethink after she came back from 4 – 1 down in the first set to dominate the match with some delightful strokeplay .

Strycova , the only unseeded player in the last four , has achieved her best Grand Slam performance with her previous best reaching the last eight , also at Wimbledon in 2014 .
“ It sounds crazy , it ’ s happening but I can ’ t really believe it , ” said the bubbly and diminutive Strycova .
“ I am extremely happy and my voice is even shaking still right now .

“ I felt like I was playing well but she was striking the ball very quick and very hard.
“ I got into the match and then I started to feel better and then I turned it around and the confidence was building . ”

Strycova , who succeeded in beating Konta where her compatriot and two – time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova failed to on Monday after being set up , said this performance was her finest in what is her 16 th singles campaign at the tournament .
“ I think this was one of the best matches I played here , ” said Strycova .

“ Especially as I haven ’ t been playing on Centre Court . ”
Strycova , who served a six – month doping ban in 2013 due to a banned substance being in a supplement , said confronting 37 – year – old Williams held no fears for her .
“ It ’ s a great week to play Serena and it ’ s a match that I really look forward to playing , ” said Strycova .

Konta ’ s hopes of a second successive Grand Slam semi – final appearance were largely dashed due to a massive 34 unforced errors .
( AFP )