In Johanna Konta, Britain Finds Hope for End of Women’s Title Drought.
But a new hope is circulating among eager British sports fans, who suddenly see Johanna Konta, a nationalized British citizen born in Australia, as the one who could break the hex this year.
Konta defeated Maria Sakkari, 6-4, 6-1, in routine fashion on Court 1 on Friday to advance to the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time.
But Konta is playing inspiring tennis lately, reaching milestones not touched by British women in decades, and all around her people are starting to believe that she has what it takes to follow Murray’s steely lead.
Murray, who also advanced the fourth round with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 victory on Friday over Fabio Fognini of Italy, believes in Konta, too.
“I’m pretty sure favorites also come and go.
The final point of his victory was an ace out wide, and after he shook Fognini’s hand, Murray let out a sustained yell to the relieved fans on Centre Court who had helped will him to victory.
1 ranking from Murray by reaching the final.
That one ended with Konta winning, 10-8, in the third set, and proved that Konta does possess some of Murray’s mettle.
The way he competes, and the way he never says die, is what makes him the best player in the world.” Konta may not be the best player on the women’s tour, but her arrow has been pointing straight up since she reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2016, where she lost to Angelique Kerber, the eventual champion.