Konta Keeps Wimbledon Hopes Alive

Johanna Konta produced a gutsy performance to move into the last-16 stage of Wimbledon after overcoming Sloane Stephens in three sets.

British number one Konta struggled in the opening exchanges and lost the first set 6-3 after being blown away by some superb tennis from American star Stephens.

However, the 28-year-old, roared on by a raucous home crowd, showed her battling qualities and managed to level the scores by taking the second set 6-4, setting up what could have been a nail-biting decider.

In the end, it turned out to be a comfortable third set for Konta as she ran out a 6-1 winner over Stephens, who appeared to lose all consistency and composure towards the end of the match.

Konta, who is the only British woman left after compatriot Harriet Dart was knocked out by Ashleigh Barty earlier on Saturday, is happy to have progressed and is looking forward to a clash with Petra Kvitova next.

Speaking to BBC Two, she said: “I think I just kept plugging away in the second. She was playing incredibly well and I was fully prepared not to be coming back.

I just tried to mix things up and get her out of that zone because she was so in it. “When she plays at her best she is incredibly tough to play against and I had to work incredibly hard to get my level up to her’s.

Every round is tricky. I am just really pleased to have come this far and with the tennis I am playing. “I am looking forward to playing Petra, one of the best players in the world, and I am delighted to be in that position.”