Kerber conquers Konta to enter first Australian Open final

Johanna Konta after losing her semi-final match against Angelique Kerber on January 28, in Melbourne, Australia.

The 24-year-old, who was born in Sydney but gained British citizenship in 2012, was bidding to reach her first Grand Slam final and continue the remarkable run of form.

The German, who is guaranteed to return to the world top five, beat two-time champion Victoria Azarenka in the last eight and the task facing Konta, ranked 47, was always a big ask.

Her challenge will now be to keep the high standard up in the three other Slams this season but the Brit, obviously disappointed to lose, praised Kerber’s performance.

“I played against a better player today who earned her right to a grand slam final”, she said.

World No. 1 Williams appears unstoppable, blitzing fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-0, 6-4 to make her seventh Australian Open final.

Konta’s racquet strength was showing through on ground strokes, as Kerber was constantly forced deep behind the baseline in rallies. Kerber said Graf “is still in shape and she is hitting very hard and moving still like she was moving a few years ago”. “That’s how I view it. She played a really, really good match and that’s why she is the victor and I’m not today”.

As sun the blazed down, the 14th seed battled back to score a break point herself on the Kerber serve but the opportunity went begging as she slipped 2-0 behind – the first time she had been a break down all tournament.

“I’ll be going out there to win the match, to be aggressive, take my first chances I can get”.

“It’s a really special moment to reach the final for the first time”, Kerber said after the match.

Hours later, Andy Murray capped a banner day for Britain as he reached the semi-finals of the men’s tournament with a four-set victory over David Ferrer.

Williams romped through the first set in just 20 minutes before Radwanska showed some fight in the second but she was unable to stop the momentum of the American, who clinched her place in the final in 64 minutes. Favourite Kerber is another player who has quelled her demons in recent months thanks to some off the court work, however they will be put to the test in Melbourne.

The independent review announced in a news conference at Melbourne Park, earlier reported by The Associated Press, will be funded by the Tennis Integrity Board, which oversees the anti-corruption unit set up by the sport in 2008 to combat match-fixing.

Kerber can come across as self-scolding and über-serious on the court, but off of it she’s one of the most well liked players on tour.

Kerber faced three set points trailing 5-2 in the second, and two more at 5-4, but turned the set in her favour by cutting loose and swinging for the fences, storming home to clinch the match and setting up a semi-final against Briton Johanna Konta. “It’s just the way it is and it feels really natural”.

“I don’t think I missed an opportunity”, she said.

“So Steffi, write me please”, she said, laughing with the crowd on Rod Laver Arena. “I don’t think anyone can really play on that level”.