Konta beats Cibulkova to make first WTA final
BySportsbeat
Published 24/07/2016 at 10:31 GMT
British number one Johanna Konta is through to the first WTA final of her career after beating world number 12 Dominika Cibulkova in straight sets in Stanford, USA.
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It sets up a final showdown with Venus Williams for Konta, ranked number 18 in the world, after her 6-4 6-2 victory over the Slovak.
The 25-year-old was impressive on serve, conceding just six points, registering seven aces in the 74-minute match.
Konta is playing her first tournament since Wimbledon and it is the first time a Brit has made a Stanford final since Virginia Wade in 1981.
The Brit was also going strong in the doubles before losing with her American partner Maria Sanchez in the semi-finals 6-4 6-2 to Darija Jurak of Croatia and Australian Anastasia Rodionova.
"It's just a release of emotions," said Konta, who will be getting her first taste of the Olympic Games in Rio next month.
"I needed to do a very good job of just focusing on myself. It was about focusing on breathing and enjoying playing in front of such a great crowd."
Top seed Williams beat fellow American Alison Riske 6-1 7-6 (7-2) to also reach the final.
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