Johanna Konta digs deep to reach Kremlin Cup semi-finals

Johanna Konta held off a fighting Aliaksandra Sasnovich at the Kremlin Cup to reach only her second semi-final of the 2018 season.
The British No 1 has been in poor form in recent months with a host of first-round exits, but she has put together a decent run in Moscow.
Konta beat the Belarusian 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7-2) in two hours and 38 minutes.
.@JohannaKonta crosses the finish line!
The top Brit closes out Sasnovich 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(2) to punch her @tennisrussia semifinal ticket. pic.twitter.com/08NA4oCwte
— WTA (@WTA) October 18, 2018
Next up for the 27-year-old is Daria Kasatkina after the Russian sixth seed beat compatriot Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-3.
What a 🎥 reel!@DKasatkina knocks off compatriot Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-3 @tennisrussia to advance to the semifinals. pic.twitter.com/FE91tfhEcK
— WTA (@WTA) October 18, 2018
The other semi-final will be between Ons Jabeur and Anastasija Sevastova.
Tunisian Jabeur, who accounted for third seed Sloane Stephens’ second-round exit, claimed the scalp of eighth seed Anett Kontaveit with a 7-5, 6-1 win.
The fifth-ranked Sevastova, meanwhile, overcame a shaky start to beat Russian Vera Zvonareva 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
More from Tennis365:
Johnny Nic on why Jamie, and not Andy Murray, is the most successful player in his family
Jack Draper on his ‘surreal’ Wimbledon run, his idol Andy Murray and the future
Judy Murray calls on young Tennis365 readers to join her on court in Portugal this month
Serena Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou: Time to allow on-court coaching at Grand Slams
Tennis Today: Rafael and Novak Djokovic ‘risking their good name’
To return to the top, Novak Djokovic had to rediscover what got him there in the first place
Latest
-
Tennis News
Andy Murray’s tips on how to make sure you stay injury-free when tennis resumes after lockdown
Andy Murray is back with some tips.
-
Tennis Fun
WATCH: Kei Nishikori reveals he wanted to be a penguin when he was young
Kei Nishikori with some quality content.
-
ATP Tour
‘He will play top-level tennis again because he is that good’ – Andy Murray on Roger Federer’s return
Andy Murray on Roger Federer’s return.
-
Tennis Top 10
Top 10 oldest WTA singles champions: Billie Jean King top, but Venus and/or Serena Williams could pip her
A look at your oldest WTA singles title winners.
-
Tennis Fun
Serena Williams and her ‘mini-me’ Olympia wear matching catsuits in debut joint fashion campaign
“The adventures of Serena and Olympia continue…”
-
Tennis Videos
WATCH: Benoit Paire argues with umpire, spits on mark, crashes out and then Tweets ‘it’s worth it to suck’
Benoit Paire makes controversial exit.
-
WTA Tour
‘Proud’ Victoria Azarenka battles through the pain to beat Elina Svitolina at Qatar Open
Victoria Azarenka gets the better of Elina Svitolina.
-
ATP Tour
Stefanos Tsitsipas impresses in Rotterdam to set up Karen Khachanov clash
Stefanos Tsitsipas retained hopes of a first ATP 500 title.
-
Kevin Palmer
Comment: Why Andy Murray needs to identify the positives in defeat against Andrey Rublev
A win against a top 10 player will kick-start Murray’s 2021.
-
Tennis Features
Iga Swiatek keeps rising and has the potential to become a dominant figure on the WTA Tour
Oli Jefford on Iga Swiatek’s rise.