Konta’s Aussie Open dream ends at semi-final stage against Kerber

World No. 1 Serena Williams on Thursday defeated Agnieszka Radwanska in the women’s semi-final of the Australian Open in a very expected manner.

Germany’s Angelique Kerber celebrates after winning her semi-final match against Britain’s Johanna Konta at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia.

Kerber, who had a stellar 2015, winning four tournaments, second only to Williams’ five, is the first German into the last four here since Anke Huber in 1998.

She said: I played against a better player today who earned her right into a Grand Slam final.

“I’m pretty much the female version of Jason Bourne”, Konta said Wednesday, making a rare analogy to “The Bourne Identity” at an Australian Open news conference, where she has spent the past two weeks increasing her profile in the tennis world.

The rankings suggested that Angelique Kerber’s 6-3, 7-5 victory over Victoria Azarenka in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open yesterday was not an upset. I really enjoyed it. I really enjoyed playing in front of the big crowd. “In the past I had a lot of matches where I was hoping, just trying to moving, [getting] every ball”.

Williams remains unbeaten in nine matches against Radwanska, whom she beat in the 2012 Wimbledon final.

Having slipped outside the top 15 last April, Kerber then won four WTA titles – the only player that season to win titles on all three surfaces, both outdoors and indoors – to return to the top 10.

The 14 seed Azarenka looked to be on her way to forcing a third set, taking a commanding 5-2 advantage in the second set.

Now Kerber has the opportunity to join an elite group of slam victors as defending champion Williams bids to claim her 22nd.

However, Currie does admit she will have to develop her personality and “Britishness” to win over the public but says the uniqueness of her achievement will ensure she has opportunities to expand herself as a brand.

The No. 4-ranked Radwanska broke Williams’ serve to level the second set at 3-3, but Williams broke Radwanska’s serve in the ninth game and closed with three aces and a forehand victor to win the match in 1 hour, 4 minutes.

“I’ve always said that when I’m playing at my best, it’s hard to beat me”.

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.

When the question was asked, the former player responded by saying “of course she can”.

Konta stayed on the attack as her serve started to fire and she surged 4-3 in front. The 25-year-old Canadian beat Gael Monfils 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a night match, continuing his strong form that saw him beat Roger Federer in the Brisbane International final and French Open champion Stan Wawrinka in the fourth round here. “She definitely raised her level and made me work for it. It was a great battle to be a part of”.

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

“So that has been a really good experience for me to have, to really feel what it’s like to be pushed and to just hang in there”.