Konta hungry for more slam success after semi-final loss

Whoever you’re playing, your limits are constantly being pushed. Her last trip to Melbourne Park ended at qualifying when she was ranked 147th in the world. “My job is to win”.

“I definitely block it out”, Williams replied to a question about equaling Graf’s mark. She was quick, however, to correct the host broadcaster whose commentators had said she had been a competitive swimmer and 400-metre runner when growing up in Sydney.

“I don’t feel very different, ” said Konta, who is expected to climb into the world’s top 30 at the end of the tournament.

The Belarusian twice served for the second set. “What a great girl she is and what a great effort”.

Azarenka had looked to be the odds-on favorite to reach a third Australian Open final – having won the title twice before in 2012 and 2013 – but was out of sorts from the start against Kerber, who raced out to a 4-0 lead.

Kerber stunned two-time champion Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 7-5 in the match preceding Konta s on Rod Laver Arena.

Milos Raonic has set another first for Canadian men in tennis by reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open.

She has now matched Jo Durie – who lost in the last four at the US Open 33 years ago. She was dominant, in total command, and breezed through the match, winning 6-0, 6-4.

Kerber is attempting to make the transition from counter-punching to aggression and it seems to be working. “You can’t underestimate Kerber”, Williams said.

“I don’t look to be a part of any group, I just look to be the best I can be”.

“I’ve been following her for a while now”.

“I played against a better player today who earned her right in a Grand Slam final”.

“I fully trust myself that I can perform in those matches. She was playing unbelievably good”.

And Serena Williams added: “She actually wins a lot of matches”.

The opener was a blur.

Error count Both players were tentative as the first game got underway.

“She started unbelievable, with such power and speed”, Radwanska told reporters.

“In terms of what it means to me, I’m just so happy that I’m enjoying what I’m doing”.

A fan favorite due to her varied game, Radwanska rebounded from a break deficit and led 4-3 in the second. Zhang increased the pressure by holding her serve to make it 5-4 to Konta. That dream stays the same I think as long as you’re doing the career that you’re on.

Wednesday was a great day for British tennis.

Virginia Wade believes Johanna Konta is pointing the way for under-achieving fellow British players after striding into the Australian Open semi-finals.

Once, however, Kerber broke for 6-5 the match decidedly swung in her favor.

Reid wondered if he would ever play tennis again after contracting Transverse Myelitis – a disease affecting the spinal cord – aged 12 but now the 24-year-old Glaswegian has a shot at a grand slam title.

Britain’s Johanna Konta plays Angelique Kerber in the second semifinal, with the victor facing Williams in Saturday night’s championship match.

She became a British citizen after her family moved to the UK.

“There is a whole rest of my life once I retire from tennis, whenever that may be – hopefully not for a number of years”.