WIMBLEDON: Czech veteran Barbora Strycova has sealed a place in the last four of a grand slam for the first time in her career at the age of 33 after downing Johanna Konta in straight sets at Wimbledon.
The unseeded Czech showed no sign of nerves as she rallied to the 7-6(5), 6-1, victory on Center Court. The gutsy display was similar to that of the previous round where Strocova came from 4-6, 2-5, to defeat Elise Mertens. Taking the pace of the ball with the use of slice to make her opponents uncomfortable on the court. Illustrated by Konta’s unforced error count of 33, which was 24 more than her.
“I can’t really believe this is happening because it is just right after the match,” Strycova told BBC TV following her win.
“I’m extremely happy. I felt like I was playing well, but she was striking the ball very quick and very hard.’
“I just stuck to my game and tried to mix it a little bit. I then got into the match and started to feel better, and better. “
In what was their second meeting on the tour and first since 2017, the match started with a roller coaster set. Strocova’s use of the slice along with serving and volleying proved problematic for the home favorite. Initially, the Czech trailed 0-3 before managing to claw her way back to level 4-4. Courtesy of a lackluster Konta Service game.
With little to distinguish between the two players, a tiebreaker eventually separated them. Continuous momentum changes saw four mini-breaks take place during the first six points. Eventually, it was Konta who buckled at the worst possible time. Trailing 5-6 in the tiebreaker, a forehand into the net gifted Strocover the lead. Silencing the British crowd on Center Court.
Disrupting Konta’s rhythm with the variation of her shot-making, Strycova continued to dictate against her growingly erratic opponent. A poor service game from the Brit ended with a backhand drifting wide to gift the Czech a set and a break lead. Prompting a frustrated Konta to glare towards her camp.
The mood of the Brit deteriorated further as she dropped serve once again. Hitting a forehand long beyond the baseline to increase Strycova’s stronghold to a set and 5-1. Serving for a chance to achieve one of the biggest milestones of her entire career, the Czech sealed victory with ease. Capitalizing on back-to-back errors from across the court.
“I think it was one of the best matches I played here,” Strycova commented about her latest performance at Wimbledon.
23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams will be the next test for Strycova. The 11th seed defeated Alison Riske in three sets earlier in the day. Williams leads their head-to-head 3-0 and is yet to drop a set against her.
“It’s a great week to play her and it is a match I am looking forward to playing. I can’t wait to be on the court on Thursday.” Declared the 33-year-old.
