Top 10 debut for Hong Kong-bound Johanna Konta with China Open semi-final win
The Briton beat American Madison Keys 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 6-4 to move a step closer to a second title of the season and her career
Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open-bound Johanna Konta became the first British woman in a generation to break into the world’s top 10 as she booked her spot in the China Open final on Saturday.
The Briton put in a solid performance to advance to the biggest final of her career after beating eighth-ranked American Madison Keys 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 6-4.
After a tight first set, Keys’ serve let her down in the tiebreaker but she rallied in the second despite continued pressure from the Briton.
After demanding seven set points from Keys for the second set, Konta stepped up her game in the third, keeping the American on the defensive to take her a step closer to her second title of the season and her career.
Watch: Johanna Konta v Madison Keys
“I don’t think she made a lot of unforced errors or gave me a lot of balls to be able to get on the offense,” Keys said.