French Open 2019: Johanna Konta errors hand Marketa Vondrousova victory in semi-final meeting

Re-live all the action from Konta's first semi-final at Roland Garros

Johanna Konta - the British number one in profile

Johanna Konta's hopes of reaching a first grand slam final were ended by a straight-sets loss to Czech teenager Marketa Vondrousova at the French Open.

This appeared a golden chance for Konta to become the first British woman to win a slam singles title since Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977, but she let winning positions in both sets slip away and went down 7-5 7-6 (2).

In the end it was 19-year-old Vondrousova who showed the greater composure, coming back from 5-3 down in both sets. Re-live the action below:

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Key Points

• Konta errors hand semi-final victory to Vondrousova
• Briton was making her first last-four appearance at Roland Garros
• Czech into first Grand Slam final of her career

[7 June 2019 08:44 · Samuel Lovett]

Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's French Open semi-final clash between Johanna Konta and Marketa Vondrousova.

The British No 1 has defied all expectation to reach the last four of the tournament - having never previously progressed beyond the opening round - and she now stands within touching distance of Saturday's showcase.

Should she overcome her Czech opponent this morning, Konta will become the first British woman since Sue Barker in 1976 to reach the final here in Paris. There she'll face either Ashleigh Barty or Amanda Anisimova, who face off in the second semi-final of the women's singles.

If Konta's quarter-final performance is anything to go by, the Briton has every chance of securing the first Grand Slam title of her career.

[7 June 2019 08:48 · Samuel Lovett]

Before we get going, here's Paul Newman's big preview of this morning's semi-final showdown:

[7 June 2019 09:44 · Samuel Lovett]

So, what about that quarter-final eh?

I don't think it's too much to say that that performance was the best of Konta's career to date. She absolutely blew Sloane Stephens out of the water as the American struggled to adapt to the variety and intensity of her opponent's display.

From Konta's service game to her shot-making from the baseline and net, there was a real edge and purpose to the Briton. She's looked reinvigorated under coach Dimitri Zavialoff, who she linked up with last October. 

Both physically and mentally, Konta has taken huge step forwards this tournament. Maintaining consistency has been an issue for her in the past, so let's hope that's now a thing of the past.

[7 June 2019 09:47 · Samuel Lovett]

Sue Barker, the last Briton to win Roland Garros in 1976, was full of praise for Konta in the wake of her victory over Sloane Stephens.

"She looks like a different sort of player - more rounded, physically and mentally," she said. "To have never won a match in the French Open and find yourself in the semi-final, it shows it is all in the mind.

"She could play on clay, she just never believed in herself. Now she does."

[7 June 2019 10:00 · Samuel Lovett]

So it seems like there's a high chance of light to heavy rain all day. Expect another disrupted scheduled. Hopefully Konta can wrap up this semi-final in record time...

[7 June 2019 10:02 · Samuel Lovett]

Konta's renaissance on clay:

• Nobody has won more tour-level matches than Konta on the surface this year
• The Briton has 15 wins on the red stuff and three defeats for 2019
• Prior to this year, Konta had only earned seven tour-level victories on clay, with 15 defeats to her name

[7 June 2019 10:03 · Samuel Lovett]

Right, here comes Konta! She heads out into a sparsely populated arena - as has been the case for a number of matches at the French Open this year. Cause for concern?

[7 June 2019 10:08 · Samuel Lovett]

Here we go folks, Vondrousova will get us under way!

[7 June 2019 10:09 · Samuel Lovett]

Konta 0-0 Vondrousova* (*denotes next server)

The Briton hits back-to-back winners and she's away. A bright start.

[7 June 2019 10:10 · Samuel Lovett]

*Konta 1-0 Vondrousova (*denotes next server)

The Czech concedes the next point with a double fault before Konta fires across a winner. She breaks straight away. An assured start.