Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Konta playing better tennis than anybody, says Barker

Written by 
Published in Tennis
Wednesday, 05 June 2019 10:25

Johanna Konta is playing "better tennis than anybody" and can win her maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open, says 1976 champion Sue Barker.

The British number one, 28, meets Czech teenager Marketa Vondrousova in a last-four match pushed back to Friday by bad weather on Wednesday in Paris.

No British woman has reached the Roland Garros final since Barker won her only Grand Slam in Paris 43 years ago.

"Jo is playing the best tennis I have ever seen her play," Barker said.

American great Billie Jean King agreed with Barker, saying Konta was now a better player than she was when she reached the 2017 Wimbledon semi-finals.

Konta, seeded 26th, has only dropped one set in her march to the semi-finals and produced a stunning performance to beat American seventh seed Sloane Stephens in Tuesday's quarter-final.

Konta will compete in her third Grand Slam semi-final - on a third different surface - after also losing in the 2016 Australian Open last four.

She had never won a main-draw match at Roland Garros until this year.

"It is her mental approach to matches. She used to have a wobble in matches and sometimes let the other player back in, but she just hasn't had that in any match," said Barker, a former world number three.

"She dropped one set but even in that match she looked really good.

"I am really impressed that she is playing that well for the whole match. Her confidence must be sky high, hitting the ball that well and feeling it so well.

"She can go all the way here, I think she is playing the best tennis of anybody."

Rain washed out Wednesday's play in Paris, meaning the two remaining women's quarter-finals will take place on Thursday.

Romania's defending champion Simona Halep will play American 17-year-old Amanda Anisimova, with Australian eighth seed Ashleigh Barty facing American 14th seed Madison Keys.

Konta's semi-final was pushed back to Friday to ensure both last-four matches are played on the same day.

King, a 12-time Grand Slam singles champion, says any of the women left in the draw are capable of lifting the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen following Saturday's final.

"I don't know if we have a favourite. I really do think it's wide open," said King, who has been announced as the ambassador for the revamped Fed Cup.

"Konta is in the best position she's ever been because she's had more experience, she's won more.

"She's really concentrating well and she's hitting so big. Her serve's big, her groundstrokes are big.

"She's totally focused right now - she just needs to stay the way she is. But she's going to have to think because of the creativity of Vondrousova."

Read 1368 times

Soccer

Unwell Palmer misses first pen, 100% record ends

Unwell Palmer misses first pen, 100% record ends

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCole Palmer's perfect penalty record came to an end on Sunday when...

Ancelotti blames big teams' struggles on UCL focus

Ancelotti blames big teams' struggles on UCL focus

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCarlo Ancelotti defended Real Madrid's performance in their 2-1 LaL...

United headline 4-team EPL summer series in U.S.

United headline 4-team EPL summer series in U.S.

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Premier League will again stage a four-team Summer Series acros...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: LeBron expected out at least 1-2 weeks

Sources: LeBron expected out at least 1-2 weeks

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLos Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is expected to miss at least o...

Sources: Tucker joining Knicks on 10-day deal

Sources: Tucker joining Knicks on 10-day deal

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFree agent P.J. Tucker has agreed to sign with the New York Knicks...

Baseball

Twins reliever Ramirez has tear in right shoulder

Twins reliever Ramirez has tear in right shoulder

EmailPrintFORT MYERS, Fla. -- Minnesota Twins right-hander Erasmo Ramirez has a significant tear in...

O's shut down Rodriguez (elbow) for week-plus

O's shut down Rodriguez (elbow) for week-plus

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLAKELAND, Fla. -- Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated