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Johanna Konta: Miami Open winner is targeting world number one spot

  • Posted: Apr 01, 2017

Britain’s Johanna Konta is targeting the world number one ranking after claiming the biggest title of her career at the Miami Open.

The 25-year-old British number one beat Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 6-3 to claim £940,000 in prize money and is set to climb to seventh in the world.

Konta was the world number 146 in June 2015, but she believes a Grand Slam title and further progress is possible.

“The belief has been there since I was a little girl,” she said.

“I’d like to be the best player in the world but there’s a lot of work to be done between now and then.

  • Konta beats Wozniacki in Miami
  • Relive Konta’s Miami Open win

“Everybody’s journey is different. I needed a little more time and a little more experience to accumulate the knowledge that I have and re-use it in my matches.

“I play smart tennis and calmer tennis I think. It just took time. On paper it looks like a quick turnaround but it’s been a long time coming.”

Former Fed Cup captain Judy Murray – mother of Andy – has previously suggested the turnaround began with a heavy defeat in a match against Belarus in February 2015.

Murray put that down to Konta’s “really bad performance anxiety”, describing the result as “a bit of a horror”.

But her skill at handling the pressure of elite-level sport is now one of her biggest assets.

Konta herself has credited the influence of former mental coach Juan Coto, who died in December.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live following his death, Konta said: “Everything that I do, he will be a part of. He left me with some incredible tools to deal with my profession and also life. He is still very much a part of my journey.”

  • Konta misses Coto ‘every day’

She is working with a new coach this season – having made a surprise decision to replace Spaniard Esteban Carril towards the end of 2016, the most successful year of her career so far.

Under the guidance of Wim Fissette, Konta won January’s Sydney International without dropping a set, before now claiming her first success at a higher level – the top ‘Premier Mandatory’ rung of the WTA Tour – in Miami.

“She has big ground strokes, not many weaknesses, and I also saw her as somebody who is very hard-working and very disciplined,” Fissette told BBC Sport during the Australian Open, where Konta made the quarter-finals.

“I started working with her because I really believe she can win a Grand Slam if she keeps getting better like this.”

In October, Konta became only the fourth British woman to make the top 10 since the WTA rankings began in 1975 – after Jo Durie, Virginia Wade and Sue Barker.

“I think it was probably a combination of everything, but also a question of maturity,” Konta said of her rise on Saturday.

“I was very fortunate that throughout the years I’ve managed to have some very, very good people around me.

“The more I was able to absorb from them, their knowledge and wisdom, and the more I was able to reinvest that into the matches that I played, that’s the reason I’m here now.”

Analysis

BBC Sport tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

Only one other player has gathered more ranking points in 2017 than Johanna Konta, but more importantly the new world number seven has now successfully negotiated the perfect dress rehearsal for a Grand Slam.

Six victories over 10 days against the very best in the world in one of the WTA’s Big Four tournaments is the perfect stepping stone to Grand Slam success.

Wimbledon should provide Konta with as good an opportunity as the Australian and US Opens – where she has already had so much joy – but now it is time for the clay: a surface on which Konta is still to prove herself.

Reaction – a Grand Slam to come?

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BBC Sport’s Piers Newbery: Konta continues to amaze. Last year was the first time she was ranked high enough to even play in Miami. And not at her best this week.

BBC tennis commentator David Law: Hope Konta can crack it at Wimbledon where she would fully enter the general public’s consciousness. Can be a powerful positive role-model.

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Konta beats Wozniacki to win Miami Open title

  • Posted: Apr 01, 2017

Johanna Konta took the biggest title of her career with victory over Caroline Wozniacki as she became the first British woman to win the Miami Open.

The 25-year-old British number one overpowered her Danish opponent – a former world number one – 6-4 6-3.

Konta, who in June 2015 was the world number 146, will climb to seventh from 11th in the rankings – her highest yet.

She also takes home £940,000 in prize money in claiming what was her third WTA Tour success from a fourth final.

  • Relive Konta’s Miami Open win

Konta won her first WTA title in July 2016 at the Bank of the West Classic, was defeated in the China Open final in October 2016 and in January triumphed at the Sydney International without dropping a set.

But this was her first success at a higher level – the top ‘Premier Mandatory’ rung of the WTA Tour.

Having beaten beaten Wozniacki in their only previous meeting – in straight sets at the third round of this year’s Australian Open – Konta was pre-match favourite.

And she held her nerve with a strong all-round performance to edge her opponent in a tight match.

“Thank you so much to the crowd,” Konta said.

“You guys were incredible through the whole week. Miami is such an energetic city and you guys really bring that to the court.

“My whole team team – thank you so much, we’re having a great time working hard and I’m looking forward to continuing to do so.”

Wozniacki reached her career high ranking of world number one in October 2010, and victory in Miami would have been her first at this level since Indian Wells in 2011.

But instead she suffered a third final defeat of 2017 – following losses to Elina Svitolina in the Dubai Championships and to Karolina Pliskova in the Qatar Open.

Reaction – a Grand Slam to come?

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BBC Sport’s Russell Fuller: Winning Miami is the perfect dress rehearsal for Grand Slam success: 6 matches negotiated over a week and a half against the world’s elite

BBC Sport’s Piers Newbery: Konta continues to amaze. Last year was the first time she was ranked high enough to even play in Miami. And not at her best this week.

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Kyrgios Pleased Hard Yards Are Paying Off

  • Posted: Apr 01, 2017

Kyrgios Pleased Hard Yards Are Paying Off

Apr012017

The Australian has played tie-breaks in all six sets against Roger Federer

Roger Federer continues to soar in 2017 but he was pushed to his absolute limits in another pulsating battle with Nick Kyrgios. The fourth seed edged a three-hour 7-6(9), 6-7(9), 7-6(5) semi-final thriller under the lights at the Miami Open presented by Itau on Friday night.

For Kyrgios it was another absorbing display of aggression, raw power and captivating shot-making against one the top ranked players. The Australian saved two match points, narrowly missing out on the final, and is buoyed by putting on a show for the fans.

“It was a tough match. I wasn’t expecting less, to be honest,” said Kyrgios. “He’s obviously the crowd favourite anywhere he plays obviously with what he’s done for the game. But I thought I was responding well to the crowd.

“I created enough opportunities to win that match. I felt like it was on my racquet most of the time. He was playing great. I showed a lot of fight, I thought I competed for every point and ultimately, I think I put in a good performance. I thought the crowd would’ve enjoyed watching it, people at home would’ve enjoyed watching it.”

The duo have played only tie-break sets. Their previous FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting at the Mutua Madrid Open in 2015 produced a similar scoreline, with Kyrgios saving two match points to take a 6-7(2), 7-6(5), 7-6(12) victory. The World No. 16 paid tribute to Federer’s first-strike game style after another finely poised contest.

“It was very, very, very similar (to Madrid) obviously. We haven’t played a set that hasn’t gone 7-6. He’s just so good, his serve and first shot are I think by far the best on tour,” stated Kyrgios. “I’ve played all the Top 4, a lot of the top guys, and his first two shots, it’s so hard to do anything against.

 Watch Full Match Replays

“You feel like you’re making a return, and then he’s right on it and hits a winner. You don’t get that much rhythm. He’s a great player.”

The 21 year old believes his work ethic on and off court has boosted his recent results. In March, he reached the quarter-finals at the BNP Paribas Open, withdrawing through illness, and has continued that impressive form at Crandon Park.

“I think I’ve made an effort to try and put in the work every day. It hasn’t been easy,” said Kyrgios. “I’ve got a great team with me. Every day we’re on the practice court trying to have fun, trying to put in.

“My draw was incredibly tough this week. I thought Karlovic third round, I could have lost there. Playing Goffin then Zverev and then Federer, maybe if I played a couple of easier rounds I could have got over the line today. Who knows?

“I feel like my level of tennis has always been high, but mentally I’m competing for every point. That’s making the difference. I need to keep putting that in every day. I’ve got a lot of work to do. I’m 16 in the world. There are 15 players better than me.”

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Federer and Nadal Vie For Miami Milestone

  • Posted: Apr 01, 2017

Federer and Nadal Vie For Miami Milestone

Apr012017

Final highlights Sunday play at the Miami Open presented by Itau

View FedEx ATP Head2Head for Federer vs Nadal & vote for the player you think will win! 

CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: One of the greatest rivalries in the history of the sport, which started here 13 years ago at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park, will be renewed on Sunday in the championship of the Miami Open, presented by Itau. Superstars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal  will meet for the third time this season and the 37th overall in a storied rivalry that began here in the third round on March 28, 2004. A 17-year-old Nadal won that match 63 63 and one year later (on April 3,2005) the two met in their first final against each other. Federer rallied to win 26 67 76 63 61. Now 12 years later, they meet again in the first all 30 & over final in the tournament’s 33-year history (Federer is 35 and Nadal 30).

Nadal leads the head-to-head meetings 23-13 (tied 9-9 on hard courts) but Federer has won the past three meetings for the first time in the rivalry. Nadal is 14-8 in final meetings and owns a 12-5 advantage in ATP Masters 1000 tournaments (7-3 in finals).  In their last Miami meeting in the 2011 sermi-finals, Nadal won 63 62. Since Nadal’s last win in the semi-finals at the 2014 Australian Open, Federer won in the final of his hometown Basel tournament in 2015. And after not meeting last year, Federer rallied to win in five sets at the Australian Open on Jan. 29 to earn his 18th Grand Slam crown, and in the 4R at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells on Mar. 15.

Federer outlasted No. 12 seed Nick Kyrgios 76(9) 67(9) 76(5) in a 3h, 11m semi-final battle on Friday night to advance to his fourth Miami Open final (2-1), the first since winning the 2006 title (d. current coach Ivan Ljubicic). His first final was a runner-up in 2002 (l. to Agassi). Federer comes in with a 10-match winning streak and 18-1 record on the season (6-0 vs. Top 10), his best start since 2006 when he went 33-1. Federer, at 35y, 7m, is trying to become the oldest Miami champion. He is also looking to become the first three-time winner on the ATP World Tour this season. Federer is 25-18 in ATP Masters finals and 90-48 in overall finals.

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Nadal has only lost one set en route to his fifth Miami final (2005, 2008, 2011, 2014). This is the 30-year-old Spaniard’s 13th appearance in Miami, the most attempts without winning a title. He is trying to become the first Spanish man to win the title. Spaniards are 0-7 in finals. He enters with a 19-4 match record in 2017, the most wins on the ATP World Tour. Nadal reached finals at the Australian Open (l. to Federer in five sets) and Acapulco (l. to Querrey) and he is not only trying to capture his 70th career title, the Mallorca native is also aiming to earn his first hard court title since Doha in January 2014 (d. Monfils). He has played in 31 hard court tournaments since the Doha title. A title would also be Nadal’s seventh different (eighth overall with Hamburg) ATP Masters 1000 crown and 29th overall, which would leave him one behind all-time leader Novak Djokovic. He would also join Andre Agassi as the only players to win an ATP Masters 1000 title in teens, 20s and 30s.

BIG FOUR DOMINATION: With Federer and Nadal in the final, another title for the ‘Big Four’ is guaranteed. Murray, Djokovic, Nadal and Federer have won 57 of the last 62 ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, which dates back to Nadal’s triumph at Monte-Carlo in 2010. Here is a breakdown of the ATP Masters 1000 titles won by the Big Four during that span: Djokovic (25), Nadal (13), Murray (10) and Federer (9). The only other players to emerge with an ATP Masters 1000 title during that time are: Robin Soderling (2010 Paris), David Ferrer (2012 Paris), Stan Wawrinka (2014 Monte-Carlo), Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (2014 Toronto) and Marin Cilic (2016 Cincinnati).

You May Also Like: Roger & Rafa: Every Match Ever Played

INDIAN WELLS, MIAMI TITLE SWEEP: Since 1991, seven players have won the first two ATP Masters 1000 events of the season (11 times) in Indian Wells and Miami.  Federer, who won both titles in 2005-06, and Djokovic, who has accomplished the feat a record four times (2011, ’14-15-16), are the only active players to pull off this double ATP Masters 1000 sweep in the same year: 

Novak Djokovic 2011, ’14-15-16
Roger Federer 2005-06 
Andre Agassi       2001
Marcelo Rios       1998 
Pete Sampras     1994 
Michael Chang 1992  
Jim Courier 1991

SPANIARDS IN MIAMI FINALS: Nadal is trying to become the first Spanish man to win the Miami Open title.Besides Nadal’s four runner-up showings, three other countrymen have reached the final:

2017 – Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer
2014 – Rafael Nadal lost to Novak Djokovic
2013 – David Ferrer lost to Andy Murray
2011 – Rafael Nadal lost to Novak Djokovic
2008 – Rafael Nadal lost to Nikolay Davydenko
2005 – Rafael Nadal lost to Roger Federer
2003 – Carlos Moya lost to Andre Agassi
1997 – Sergi Bruguera lost to Thomas Muster

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Federer beats Kyrgios in thriller – faces Nadal in final

  • Posted: Apr 01, 2017

Roger Federer won a thrilling three-hour contest against Nick Kyrgios to set up a final against Rafael Nadal at the Miami Open.

The Swiss, 35, won 7-6 (11-9) 6-7 (9-11) 7-6 (7-5) to take his 2017 record to 18 wins and one defeat.

Federer will take on Nadal for the 37th time on Sunday, and the second this year after beating the Spaniard in January’s Australian Open final.

Nadal, 30, beat Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-1 7-5 in the first semi-final.

Fognini, 29, had become the first unseeded player in 10 years to make the last four but was no match for Nadal, who will try to win a first Miami title in his fifth final on Sunday.

“It’s great to be in the final for me,” said Nadal after winning the first of the semi-finals. “I am excited to play another final of an important event.

“If it’s Roger, it’s going to be another one for both of us, and that’s it. Just another one.”

Federer made sure that there will be another episode to his rivalry with Nadal, which began in Miami 13 years ago.

The 18-time Grand Slam champion maintained his spectacular run of results with victory over the in-form Kyrgios.

“It felt very good,” said the Swiss, who last won the Miami title in 2006. “You don’t very often play three breakers in a match.

“Winning breakers is always such a thrill. I tried to really fight for it. I can’t always show my fighting skills, it is great winning this way.”

Despite playing in front of a heavily pro-Federer crowd, Kyrgios extended the former champion over three hours and 10 minutes, with the 21-year-old Australian showing his frustration by smashing his racquet after losing match point.

“I had some ups and downs, bit of a rollercoaster,” said Kyrgios.

“Ultimately I think I put in a good performance. I thought the crowd would’ve enjoyed watching it, people at home would’ve enjoyed watching it. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they found something bad, though.”

On Saturday, British number one Johanna Konta plays Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki in the women’s final at 18:00 BST – with live text commentary on the BBC Sport website.

Konta, 25, became the first British woman to reach the Miami Open final with a 6-4 7-5 victory over Venus Williams in the last four on Thursday.

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Federer Strikes First Against Kyrgios

  • Posted: Apr 01, 2017

Federer Strikes First Against Kyrgios

Apr012017

Swiss maestro grabs opening set in Miami semi-final

Roger Federer is one set away from the final at the Miami Open presented by Itau, saving two set points to take an epic 7-6(9) opening set in their semi-final on Friday.

Kyrgios struck first in the match, earning two break point chances at 3-3 with a booming forehand up the line. The 12th seed converted on his second opportunity with an aggressive backhand return down the line and pumped his first in celebration.

The Aussie earned a chance to serve for the set at 5-4, but went down 15/40 after floating a backhand volley wide and received a jeer from the Stadium Court crowd after tossing his racquet to the ground in frustration. The Aussie gambled on a big second serve in the next point and double faulted, handing the break back to Federer.

Enjoying success as he charged the net with greater frequency, Federer began to unravel Kyrgios, who appeared visibly frustrated. However, the 12th seed was able to remain calm when it mattered most, saving a set point with a thunderous ace out wide to ultimately force a tie-break.

Federer earned a set point at 6/5 with a swinging forehand volley winner, but failed to convert after sending a backhand well wide. Another set point chance came and went at 7/6 before Kyrgios earned his first set point at 8/7. He missed the opportunity with a forehand error and Federer erased a second set point down 8/9 with a backhand winner.

Kyrgios rolled the dice once again on a second serve at 9/9 and double faulted. Federer made good on third set point chance, bringing the crowd to their feet after Kyrgios struck a backhand into the doubles alley.

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Previewing The Miami Open Doubles Final

  • Posted: Apr 01, 2017

Previewing The Miami Open Doubles Final

Mar312017

Monroe/Sock take on sixth seeds Kubot/Melo

Watch the Miami Open presented by Itau doubles final live on TennisTV.com not before 3 pm EDT/ 9 pm CEST

• In Saturday’s doubles championship, the unseeded American duo of Nicholas Monroe and Jack Sock take on No. 6 seeds Lukasz Kubot of Poland and Marcelo Melo of Brazil. All four players are trying to win their first Miami Open presented by Itau title. Sock is the only former finalist, in 2015 (w/Pospisil). They lost to the Bryan brothers.

• Monroe/Sock defeated Qureshi/Simon 64 63 in 1R, [1] Kontinen/Peers 36 76(5) 10-8 in 2R, [7] Dodig/Granollers 76(5) 63 in QF and [3] Bryan/Bryan 76(5) 63 in SF to reach first final of season and second together (2015 Stockholm)

• They are playing in their first tournament of the season and fifth career ATP World Tour tourney (10-3 record). They first teamed up at the Sacramento, CA Challenger in 2011 and reached the final. In 2012, they played two Futures events and three Challengers, reaching finals in Honolulu and Dallas. That year, they made their ATP World Tour debut in Delray Beach (1R). In 2013-14, they played the Savannah, GA Challenger each year. In their lone tournament in 2015 in Stockholm they won the title (d. Pavic/Venus). Last year they played twice, in Rio de Janeiro (1R) and ATP Masters 1000 Paris (QF)

You May Also Like: Nadal Sprints Into Fifth Miami Final

• Monroe is 5-1 lifetime in Miami and prior to this year his best result was QFs last year (w/Isner)

• Sock is 11-4 lifetime in Miami and prior to this year his best result was a runner-up in 2015 (w/Pospisil)

• Monroe has a 3-4 career record in ATP World Tour finals with all three titles coming in Sweden: 2013 (w/Stadler) and 2014 (w/Brunstrom) in Bastad along with 2015 Stockholm (w/Sock)

• Sock has an 8-8 career record in ATP World Tour level finals, including 2-5 in ATP Masters 1000 finals (won 2015 Indian Wells w/Pospisil; 2016 Shanghai w/Isner). Biggest title came at 2014 Wimbledon (w/Pospisil)

• Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings: Monroe No. 53 (Career-High No. 46 on Jan. 30, 2017), Sock No. 22 (Career-High No. 6 on May 11, 2015)

• Kubot/Melo have dropped three sets en route to the final, defeating [WC] Daniell/Demolnier26 76(0) 10-7 in 1R, Rojer/Tecau 64 36 11-9 in 2R, [4] J. Murray/Soares 26 63 10-8 in QF and Baker/Nestor 64 63 in SF to reach second straight ATP Masters 1000 final. In Indian Wells two weeks ago, they lost to [6] Klaasen/Ram 67 64 10-8 in title match

• They are playing in 11th career tournament together (22-8 record) and fourth ATP World Tour final (2-1). They won title in 2015 debut in Vienna and last year defended title. They went 4-0 in 2015, 6-2 last season and are 12-6 in 2017

• Kubot is 8-5 lifetime in Miami and prior to this year his best result was QFs in 2012 (w/Tipsarevic)

• Melo is 12-9 lifetime in Miami and prior to this year his best result was SFs in 2015 (w/Soares)

• Kubot has a 14-11 career record in finals and 0-2 in ATP Masters 1000 finals (2012 Rome w/Tipsarevic),Indian Wells

• Melo has a 22-20 career record in finals and 5-3 in ATP Masters 1000 finals (won 2013 Shanghai, 2015 Shanghai & Paris-Bercy, 2016 Toronto & Cincinnati)

• Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings: Kubot No. 17 (Career-High No. 7 on Sept. 27, 2010), Melo No. 9 (Career-High No. 1 on Nov. 2, 2015)

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