KONTA IS OUT: Hopes of a British Wimbledon singles winner OVER as Konta crashes out in quarter-finals against Czech star Strycova in straight sets
- British hope Johanna Konta is out of Wimbledon following quarter-final loss
- Unseeded Czech opponent Barbora Strycova proved too strong, winning 7-5 6-1
- Konta was the last remaining British player in Wimbledon singles draws
- Strycova advances to play seven-time champion Serena Williams in semi-final
Britain’s Johanna Konta has crashed out of Wimbledon at the quarter-final stage following an error-strewn performance against unseeded Czech Barbora Strycova.
Despite the backing of a packed Centre Court crowd, home favourite Konta threw away a 4-1 advantage in the opening set to lose 7-5 on a tie break.
And Konta continued to struggle in the second set, eventually losing it 6-1 in a little over an hour-and-a-half.
It means there are no Brits remaining in either singles draw as Strycova advances to take on seven-time champions Serena Williams in the semi-finals on Thursday.
Johanna Konta is out of Wimbledon following an error-strewn performance against Barbora Strycova on Centre Court
Strycova soaks up the applause of the Centre Court crowd after her victory over Konta
But there was only disappointment for the Briton as her Wimbledon dream faded away
Konta had the backing of most of the crowd on Centre Court but crashed out to Strycova
Barbora Strycova celebrates winning a point during her straight sets win over Konta
There was little to split Konta – the No 19 seed and last remaining Brit in either singles draw – and her Czech opponent early on as they slugged it out on Centre Court.
Konta broke first but was then hauled back to 4-4 on serve as a result of a succession of unforced errors.
The set went all the way to a tie-break but Konta was second best, losing it 7-5, and couldn’t recover from the blow.
Konta shows her frustration during an error-strewn performance on Centre Court
Konta reacts after losing the opening set on a tie break 7-5 having led the set 4-1 at one point
The momentum was very much with Strycova early in the second set as she broke Konta in the second game and then held serve for a 3-0 lead.
And there was no way back from there as 33-year-old Strycova held her nerve to see out the second set 6-1.
Williams defeated her fellow American, Alison Riske, in three sets earlier in the day on Centre Court.
Simona Halep of Romania will play Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the other semi-final. The two matches will take place on Thursday.