Sports47 FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

MELBOURNE: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic hits a return during his men’s singles semi-final match against Switzerland’s Roger Federer no day eleven of the 2016 tournament in Melbourne yesterday. — AFP Djokovic, Serena in Melbourne semis

MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic hit some spectacular final. “You’ve got to try and stop the bleeding at some shots and showed true grit to hold off a Roger Federer point,” said Federer. “It was tough to get back into it fightback as he reached the final of the Australian but I found a way and made something of a match of Konta made British Open for the fifth time in six years with a 6-1 6-2 3-6 6- it. But clearly I’m still disappointed.” 3 victory yesterday. For the first two sets, 17-times Williams’s 20-minute first set against Radwanska history in major champion Federer looked as powerless as was as short as Djokovic’s start against Federer and Agnieszka Radwanska had earlier on the same court only slightly less impressive because of the Pole’s lack MELBOURNE: The extent of what she accomplished at the Australian when the Pole was taken apart 6-0 6-4 by the reigning of pedigree. Open hasn’t fully sunk in, but Johanna Konta expects it will when she women’s champion . “There was just no mistake,” said fourth seed returns home to England. The 24-year-old Konta’s strong run at Melbourne Federer restored some pride by taking the third set Radwanska. “Unbelievable serve. Everything, she was Park became big news back home and Down Under when she became the and made the champion work hard through some going for it. Yeah, I couldn’t do much. Not at all, actu- first British woman to reach a Grand Slam semifinal since 1983.That run breathtaking rallies in the fourth before the Serbian ally. “I don’t think anyone can really play on that kind ended yesterday, when No. 7 beat her 7-5, 6-2 for a took his place in a title decider against Andy Murray or of level at all.” Radwanska made the second set more chance to play No. 1 Serena Williams in the final. Milos Raonic. of a contest but she had neither the power nor the Konta emerged from the defeat saying she felt proud, carrying the posi- “These were probably the best two sets I’ve played skill to prevent the world number one marching on to tive energy and composure she had displayed on court into her post- against (Roger) over my career,” said 28-year-old her 26th grand slam final. match news conference. “I really enjoyed my experience out there,” said Djokovic, who will be bidding for a record-equalling “I’ve always said that when I’m playing at my best, Konta, who was ranked 47th and is motivated by challenges. “At this level, sixth Australian Open title on Sunday. it’s difficult to beat me,” said 34-year-old Williams, you’re constantly being tested. Whoever you’re playing, your limits are “This was I think a different level than from before. who has won all six of her previous finals at constantly being pushed. I’m really happy how I was able to keep pushing I’m just very, very pleased that I was able to perform Melbourne Park. my threshold.” That could all change, of course, when she gets back home the way I did from the very beginning till the end.” Kerber stands between Williams and a 22nd grand to England. “When I go home, when my mom will say, ‘Oh, you’re calm.’ It Williams was in similarly dominant form in her slam singles title, which would allow the American to will come out more,” she joked. Konta’s story was the type that tennis fans semi-final as she set up a date on Saturday with match the record of the German’s compatriot, child- never tire of - the talented but unnoticed player who seemingly comes out Germany’s Angelique Kerber, who reached her first hood hero and mentor Steffi Graf. of nowhere to beat a champion. grand slam final by ending Briton Johanna Konta’s The 28-year-old seventh seed raced to a 3-0 lead in Konta was playing in the main draw at the Australian Open for the first fairytale run 7-5 6-2. the opening set of her match against Konta but the time, after losing in qualifying rounds for the previous three years. In the The 45th showdown between Djokovic and Briton shed her early nerves and won the next four first round, she stepped onto the biggest stage at the Australian Open, Rod Federer, the best two players of their gener- games to get back on serve. Laver Arena, and beat seven-time Grand Slam winner in ations, was always going to be the highlight of day 11 Kerber kept her own nerve, however, and secured a straight sets. She won over the crowds with her athletic, chase-every-ball of the tournament. decisive break for 6-5 in the first set before over- style, squatting into her forehands and backhands for extra power. She Four days after he racked up 100 unforced errors in whelming the world number 47 in the second. became a local favorite when Melbourne Park fans learned she had been a messy fourth round win over Gilles Simon, Djokovic “I’ve had a lot of ups, I had a lot of downs. I think born in , Australia to Hungarian parents and moved as a teen to started brilliantly and played 55 minutes of near flaw- the final cames to the right moment,” said Kerber, the England, where she obtained citizenship in 2012. less power tennis to take a commanding two sets to first German in the women’s final at Melbourne Park When Konta made it to the quarterfinals, the tennis establishment in nil lead. With the crowd making clear their despera- for 20 years. “I am a top player right now. I’ve been Britain erupted with headlines about her historic success. She became the tion for the Swiss to avoid a humiliating defeat, how- working very hard in the last few years. Here I am. I’m first British woman since in 1983 to get that far in a Grand ever, Federer managed to find another gear to his in the final for my first time. I will for sure try and enjoy Slam.Britain will now have to wait for its first female player to reach a serve, charged the net more frequently and snatched it.” Konta was the first British woman into the last four Grand Slam final since in 1977. the third set. at the Australian Open for 39 years after a remarkable But it appears to have a rising star on the female side, perhaps, to keep run on her main draw debut at Melbourne Park. Andy Murray company in the second week of the majors. Often, players set UNBELIEVABLE SERVE The Sydney-born 24-year-old had no complaints a goal to break into the Top 20, or reach a certain number in the rankings. Now playing under a closed roof, Djokovic took about her defeat, however. “I played against a better “I don’t look at myself in the mirror and say, ‘You’re number this in the some time to regain his level in the fourth but player today who earned her right to a grand slam world. That’s not how I view my career and life,” Konta said. “If I’m accom- grabbed the crucial break for a 5-3 lead and served final,” she said. “But I’m really taking a lot of positives plishing ... what I would like to accomplish, then I go home happy.” — AP out comfortably to reach his fifth straight grand slam out of it.” —