The British No1’s Miami Open triumph was the result of improving her win percentage and adopting a methodical approachIt takes a lot to impress Martina Navratilova but her considered judgment that Johanna Konta can take her tennis to higher places after her breakthrough win in Miami will be worth much more than any hype generated in the heat of celebration. Related: Johanna Konta announces her arrival at the next level of her sport | Kevin Mitchell Continue reading...
Johanna Konta’s victory over Caroline Wozniacki in the final of the Miami Open takes her to No7 in the world, and could herald a bright new era for British tennisJohanna Konta’s tense 6-4, 6-3 win over Caroline Wozniacki in the final of the Miami Open – much tougher than her quick dismissal of the former world No1 in the third round of the Australian Open in January – was an achievement that announced her arrival at the next level of her sport. Related: Johanna Konta beats Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-3 to win Miami Open – as it happened Continue reading...
Few expected the 35-year-old to win the Australian Open after his injuries but he has been on stunning form since and a more relaxed attitude has helpedTwo comeback kids met in Miami and played a very fine match of tennis this week. One was Juan Martín del Potro, the lanky, lugubrious Argentinian who has suffered two career-threatening wrist injuries. Since returning last year, after a two‑year hiatus, he narrowly lost to Andy Murray in the Olympic final and led Argentina to their first Davis Cup win.His is an uplifting story of triumph over adversity, stalwart determination in the face of debilitating physical and psychological setbacks. He played beautifully this week, with his elegant backhand slice and his thunderous slap of...
The British 25-year-old is back in the world’s top 10 and her final in Miami offers her an important chance to prove she can live with the bestMartina Navratilova, who is as judicious with her praise as she was with her awesome charge to the net, said before Johanna Konta beat the seven-times slam champion Venus Williams, to reach the final of the Miami Open against Caroline Wozniacki, that the British history-maker was worth her return to the world’s top 10 but had yet to prove she was a top-five player.It is a fair assessment. Of the game’s consistent pace-setters, Konta and Madison Keys are the newcomers at the summit of the WTA rankings with most to prove; however, Britain’s...
The Swiss player won a thrilling Australian Open final but would have been happy to ‘accept a draw’ against another wonderful ambassador for tennisRoger Federer’s claim to greatness has never been in question, not even in the five years since he won his 17th grand slam. However, his right to be regarded as peerless in the history of his sport was cemented beyond argument when he drew four majors clear of the 14 Rafael Nadal shares with Pete Sampras by defeating the Spaniard in an Australian Open final to rank alongside the best of the nine in which they have now contested a slam title. Related: Roger Federer eyes Wimbledon success after Australian Open triumph The triumph belonged not only...