Johanna Konta won her first Miami Open title Saturday, defeating Carolina Wozniacki in straight sets – and earning her biggest title of her career to date.
Konta held back a strong challenge from Wozniacki, who was also seeking her first Miami Open title. The players traded breaks early in the first set, and at times, Wozniacki was able to execute a couple of well-timed and well-placed lobs to get out of tight situations. Ultimately, though, Konta broke Wozniacki to win the first set.
Even though Wozniacki took a brief time-out to have her ankle taped, it failed to slow Konta’s momentum. She ended the match with 30 winners, while Wozniacki had eight. Konta won the match with a lob that, as Wozniacki found out with a challenge, landed right on the baseline.
Konta’s win propels her into the top 10. She’ll now be ranked No. 7.
Wozniacki, 26, playing her third final of the year, acknowledged she has yet to win one so far.
“We’ll play another time … I’ll try my best,” Wozniacki said.
Konta, 25, was reminded in a post-match interview that she failed to qualify for the tournament two years ago.
“I needed a bit more time and experience, ” Konta said.
“On paper, it looks like a quick turnaround but is is definitely a lot of years worked up to it,” she said.
Nafari Vanaski
