Johanna Konta vs Venus Williams, Wimbledon semi-final as it happened
Follow updates from Konta's semi-final defeat to Williams on Centre Court
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Your support makes all the difference.The Wimbledon spotlight will shine brighter than ever on Britain's Johanna Konta when she faces American veteran Venus Williams in the semi-finals on Centre Court on Thursday.
Sixth seed Konta finds herself the sole focus of the home nation's hopes a day after men's defending champion Andy Murray's painful quarter-final exit.
In what promises to be a clash of the power servers, Konta will seek to become the first Briton since Virginia Wade in 1977 to reach the grasscourt grand slam final.
Five-time winner Williams, 37 and seeded 10, will be aiming for her ninth Wimbledon singles final, and victory on Saturday would make her the oldest women's grand slam champion since tennis turned professional.
Follow live updates from the Wimbledon semi-final...
What time is it?
Konta’s semi-final against Williams is second up on Centre Court.
Garbine Muguruza takes on Magdalena Rybarikova at 13.00, so expect Konta’s match to start at around 3pm.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be screened live on BBC One.
Alternatively, you can follow game by game coverage and analysis with The Independent’s Wimbledon live blog.
What is the head to head record like?
Good! Konta currently leads the head-to-head 3 wins to 2.
The pair have played twice this year, with Konta winning in the semi-finals of the Miami Open, but losing their last meeting, at the Italian Open.
What have they been saying?
Johanna Konta: “I'd like to think actually that all the matches I played - I know this will be my second slam semi-final - but I do think nerves and excitement and those sorts of emotions that come along with big matches aren't necessarily specific to grand slam moments.
“I've been a part of some great moments and exciting moments in other events as well. I'd like to think that I'll be using all that experience come Thursday.”
Venus Williams: “I definitely think experience helps, for sure.
“For a lot of the players I've played, it's their first time in the third round or the quarter-finals.
“So I have an opportunity to bank on experience in having dealt with those sort of pressures before.”
What are the odds?
Johanna Konta to win: 4/5
Venus Williams to win: 1/1
Game, set, match! Muguruza crushes Rybarikova (6-1 6-1)
Rybarikova sends a forehand long before a backhand into the net sees her fall 0-30 down on serve. The Slovakian loses the next point with another forehand error to give Muguruza three match points. The 14th seed squanders the first one with an inaccurate lob but makes no mistake with the second as a backhand down the line clinches a spot in Saturday's final.
Muguruza reacts
On her performance: "I think I played very well for sure. It was a tricky match, she (Rybarikova) is a very talented player. She was playing very good during the tournament. Today I stepped up on the court super confident and everything went well."
On the benefit of having big-match experience: "Once you've been in these situations you know how to handle these matches better, and in my case I was more prepared today than the first time I played so definitely."
On Saturday's final: "I'm going to enjoy it for sure. Being in a Grand Slam final is a great achievement. I definitely want to win no matter who is in front of me, I will see a little bit of their game (Williams vs Konta) and I think it's going to be a great final no matter what."
Konta leads H2H against Venus
The two players walked out onto court a few moments ago. While we wait for the match to get underway let's take a look at how their previous meetings have gone:
- Venus def. Konta 6-1 3-6 6-1 (2017 Rome Masters, R16)
- Konta def. Williams 6-4 7-6 (2017 Miami Masters, SF)
- Konta def. Williams 7-5 5-7 6-2 (2016 Stanford, F)
- Konta def. Williams 6-4 6-2 (2016 Australian Open, R128)
- Venus def. Konta 6-4 3-6 7-5 (2015 Wuhan, QF)
Konta* 0-1 Venus (*denotes next server)
The opening point of the match goes to Venus as Konta scoops a defensive backhand into the net. An unerturnable serve follows before a big cross-court forehand from Venus brings up three game points. Konta fends off the first one with an inside-out forehand winner but loses the next point with a netted slice backhand as Venus holds to 15.
Konta 2-2 Venus* (*denotes next server)
Konta sends a forehand long to lose the opening point but takes control of the game as Venus nets successive backhand slices. Konta then misses a backhand down the line by a good few feet but an unreturnable serve brings up game point - the Briton can't take it though as she sends a cross-court backhand into the tramlines. Konta wins the next two points courtesy of a forehand winner and another unreturnable serve to hold.
Konta* 2-3 Venus (*denotes next server)
Venus starts the game with a double fault before levelling things up with a lovely forehand passing shot down the line. A cross-court backhand winner by Konta follows but Venus takes the game to 40-30 with an unreturnable serve followed by a well-dispatched overhead. Konta can only find the net with a backhand to lose the next point as Venus holds once more.
Konta 4-4 Venus* (*denotes next server)
Konta starts the game with an unreturnable serve followed by an ace out wide. She dumps a backhand into the net to lose the next point before double faulting as the game goes to 30-30. A strong backhand down the middle from Konta clips the line and forces an error from Venus before an inside-out forehand winner seals the hold for the Briton.
Konta* 4-5 Venus (*denotes next server)
Williams starts the game with an unreturnable serve but undoes that hard work with a double fault. The American then hits the net with a drive volley before an inside-out forehand winner by Konta brings up two break points for the Briton. Venus saves the first with an inside-out backhand winner before hauling the game to deuce courtesy of an unreturnable 107mph second serve. A forehand winner down the line follows before Konta sends a return long as Venus holds for a 5-4 lead in this opening set.
Konta* 4-6 0-1 Venus (*denotes next server)
Venus starts this second set with an unreturnable serve before an outrageous cross-court forehand takes the game to 30-0. Venus brings up three game points as Konta misses a forehand return... and the American needs just one as she fires a forehand winner down the line.
Konta 4-6 1-1 Venus* (*denotes next server)
The two players split the first couple of points with groundstroke errors before Konta brings up two game points courtesy of an ace and a missed backhand by Venus. The five-time champion fends off the first with an inside-out backhand winner but she hits the net with a forehand return to lose the next point as Konta holds to 30.
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