Johanna Konta's hopes of reaching a first grand slam final were ended by a straight-sets loss to Czech teenager Marketa Vondrousova at the French Open.
This appeared a golden chance for Konta to become the first British woman to win a slam singles title since Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977, but she let winning positions in both sets slip away and went down 7-5 7-6 (2).
In the end it was 19-year-old Vondrousova who showed the greater composure, coming back from 5-3 down in both sets. Re-live the action below:
Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's French Open semi-final clash between Johanna Konta and Marketa Vondrousova.
The British No 1 has defied all expectation to reach the last four of the tournament - having never previously progressed beyond the opening round - and she now stands within touching distance of Saturday's showcase.
Should she overcome her Czech opponent this morning, Konta will become the first British woman since Sue Barker in 1976 to reach the final here in Paris. There she'll face either Ashleigh Barty or Amanda Anisimova, who face off in the second semi-final of the women's singles.
If Konta's quarter-final performance is anything to go by, the Briton has every chance of securing the first Grand Slam title of her career.
Before we get going, here's Paul Newman's big preview of this morning's semi-final showdown:
So, what about that quarter-final eh?
I don't think it's too much to say that that performance was the best of Konta's career to date. She absolutely blew Sloane Stephens out of the water as the American struggled to adapt to the variety and intensity of her opponent's display.
From Konta's service game to her shot-making from the baseline and net, there was a real edge and purpose to the Briton. She's looked reinvigorated under coach Dimitri Zavialoff, who she linked up with last October.
Both physically and mentally, Konta has taken huge step forwards this tournament. Maintaining consistency has been an issue for her in the past, so let's hope that's now a thing of the past.
Sue Barker, the last Briton to win Roland Garros in 1976, was full of praise for Konta in the wake of her victory over Sloane Stephens.
"She looks like a different sort of player - more rounded, physically and mentally," she said. "To have never won a match in the French Open and find yourself in the semi-final, it shows it is all in the mind.
"She could play on clay, she just never believed in herself. Now she does."
So it seems like there's a high chance of light to heavy rain all day. Expect another disrupted scheduled. Hopefully Konta can wrap up this semi-final in record time...
Konta's renaissance on clay:
- Nobody has won more tour-level matches than Konta on the surface this year
- The Briton has 15 wins on the red stuff and three defeats for 2019
- Prior to this year, Konta had only earned seven tour-level victories on clay, with 15 defeats to her name
Right, here comes Konta! She heads out into a sparsely populated arena - as has been the case for a number of matches at the French Open this year. Cause for concern?
Here we go folks, Vondrousova will get us under way!
Konta 0-0 Vondrousova* (*denotes next server)
The Briton hits back-to-back winners and she's away. A bright start.
*Konta 1-0 Vondrousova (*denotes next server)
The Czech concedes the next point with a double fault before Konta fires across a winner. She breaks straight away. An assured start.
Konta 2-0 Vondrousova* (*denotes next server)
Konta's backhand is looking as deadly as it was against Stephens. At 30-0, she fires across a fizzing serve which her opponent just about manages to return. The Britain is quick to shuffle forward though and sends across a backhand winner, from left to right, that lands well out of reach for Vondrousova. The Czech concedes the next point with an unforced error. Konta holds.
*Konta 2-1 Vondrousova
Some relief at last for Vondrousova as Konta fluffs her line with an unforced error on her forehand. 30-15. She capitalises on a high bouncing ball near the net on the next point, duly smashing it into space. 30-30. Two more errors from the Briton follow, handing her opponent the game.
*Konta 2-1 Vondrousova
Back-to-back errors from Konta hand the Czech a 30-0 lead but the Briton quickly draws level, with Vondrousova fluffing her lines on the fourth point. A sublime rally subsequently opens up, with Konta attempting to catch out her opponent with a sly drop shot. The Czech has her wits about her though and makes the return, forcing the Brit to send over a lob. Konta looks ruffled after that, though, and her return lands way wide of the tramlines. 40-30.
*Konta 2-1 Vondrousova
Konta claws it back to deuce before the Czech takes advantage. She can't capitalise though, firing a serve from the Briton straight into the net. 40-40.
*Konta 2-1 Vondrousova
It's Konta's turn to take advantage but she similarly can't see this game off.
Another drop shot from the Briton lands perfectly on the other side of the tape but Vondrousova does brilliantly to scoop up the ball, sending it back across Konta and far out of reach. Top-draw stuff, this. Advantage to the Czech.
*Konta 2-1 Vondrousova
Ah, we're back to deuce.
...
Oh, as you were, advantage Vondrousova. A lot of back and forth in this set. Who's going to blink first?
Konta 2-2 Vondrousova*
She's done it! At last, Vondrousova breaks the Briton. It's all-square.
Konta 2-2 Vondrousova*
Break point to Konta. At 30-30, she forces her opponent back with a series of fierce back-hand strokes. The Czech eventually submits, cracking a return into the top of the net.
But Vondrousova responds to take the game to deuce.
*Konta 3-2 Vondrousova
Ah, Konta breaks back and reclaims control of this match. She fires over a winner on advantage point to take the game.
*Konta 3-2 Vondrousova
From the net, Konta fires down a volley but Vondrousova does well to make the return. The Briton stands her ground, though, and it's not long before the Czech crumples under the pressure and finds the net. 15-0.
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