I never doubted my ability: Johanna Konta happy to be back chasing titles after tough year

Johanna Konta said she has never doubted her ability despite coming through a tough year to earn a place in the Italian Open final.
The British number one will face Karolina Pliskova on Sunday for the title, and she certainly isn’t underestimating the significance.
“I’m very pleased to be in the final here,” Konta said. “It’s my second biggest final behind Miami. That’s a big achievement in my career so far.
“I’m definitely very conscious and appreciative of this opportunity, of this situation.
“I’ve never really doubted my ability on the surface. I don’t necessarily feel like this is massively out of the blue or super wow. I’m definitely pleased.”
On her 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 semi-final win over Kiki Bertens, Konta added: “I knew going into the match that playing against Kiki, I mean, she’s playing some of her best tennis right now in her career.
“She came off of winning Madrid. She’s definitely in amazing form. She’s No.4 in the world. She’s one of the best players right now.
“I knew going out there that there wasn’t going to be one solution.
“It wasn’t going to be one answer or one specific game plan that was going to be, yeah, like: Wow, that’s okay, I’ve cracked it.
“It was going to be a continuous adjustment, a continuous openness to figure it out within the match. I thought I did that well.
“I stayed very open in trying to find a solution in each point, in each ball. I just trusted that.
“I kind of accepted both ways. I mean, after I lost the first set, I mean, I didn’t do much wrong.
“It was a very good set of tennis. Equally the second set, as well. There wasn’t anybody putting a bad foot out of line.
“In the third, I definitely felt that I was able to maintain my level a bit better than her.
“I think that gave me the upper hand in stringing some more points together. I’m just very happy to have come through.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
The 2019 French Open: When is it, who are the defending champions, the draw, TV channel, prize money
-
FEATURE: Meet Roy Erskine, Andy Murray’s grandfather and former professional footballer
-
T365 Recall: When Andy Murray cemented his legacy during brilliant 2016 season
-
EXCLUSIVE: Annabel Croft on the ‘identity crisis’ facing the women’s game
-
-
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Rafael Nadal stunned by former world No 12 Borna Coric in Cincinnati: ‘I won, it’s kind of crazy’
Delight for Borna Coric as he upsets Rafael Nadal in Cincy.
-
WTA Tour
Exclusive – Tim Henman backing Emma Raducanu after her stunning return to form
Tim Henman has told Tennis365 that Emma Raducanu will stun the sporting world once again
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu blows past former World No 1 to reach last 16 in Cincy
Emma Raducanu was clearly the better player as she claimed her first win over a top 20 player since her US Open title run.
-
ATP Tour
Andy Murray hit by cramps again Cameron Norrie scrapes battle of the Brits
Andy Murray claimed the opening set but Cameron Norrie saved nine break points and downed the former World No 1.
-
US Open
US Open wildcards: Venus Williams and Dominic Thiem handed slots
Williams, who won at Flushing Meadows in 2000 and 2001, will compete at the age of 42.
-
ATP Tour
ATP Race to Turin: How things stand as tour rolls into Cincy
The ATP Race to Turin is getting tight.
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal cautious but excited ahead of ATP Tour return
Rafael Nadal says that he ‘has to be careful’.
-
US Open
Gael Monfils’ injury woes continue as he withdraws from US Open
Gael Monfils ruled out of another Grand Slam.
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu urged to stick with Dmitry Tursunov by former British No 1: ‘Her tactics were good’
Emma Raducanu and Dmitry Tursunov off to a good start in Cincy.
-
WTA Tour
Simona Halep hits $40m mark in WTA career-prize money earnings, only behind Serena and Venus Williams
A look at where Simona Halep sits on some of the all-time WTA lists.