Johanna Konta reaches Western and Southern Open semi-finals with victory over Maria Sakkari

Fellow semi-finalist Naomi Osaka withdrew from the New York tournament in protest of the killing of Jacob Blake

Britain’s Johanna Konta is through to the semi-finals of the Western & Southern Open in New York after defeating Maria Sakkari in straight sets.

Sakkari toppled Serena Williams in the round of 16, but Konta had her measure a day later, the eighth seed beating the Greek 13th seed 6-4 6-3 in a solid performance in blustery conditions.

Konta will now play former world No1 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus for a place in the final of the tournament, the last lead-up to the US Open, which begins on Monday.

Thirty-one-year-old Azarenka, the Australian Open winner in 2012 and 2013 but now ranked 59th, advanced with a 7-6 (9) 6-2 victory over Tunisian Ons Jabeur.

Should Konta make the final as the rankings suggest, the 29-year-old will face 14th-seed Elise Mertens.

Fourth seed Naomi Osaka progressed to the last four with a hard-fought victory over the gallant Anett Kontaveit, beating the 20th-ranked Estonian 4-6 6-2 7-5, but the former world No1 withdrew from her semi-final in protest of the shooting of Jacob Blake – a black American who was killed by police in the United States last week.

Meanwhile, Belgian Mertens easily disposed of American Jessica Pegula 6-1 6-3.

Konta was delighted to overcome Sakkari and make her second semi of the year, having reached the last four in Monterrey, Mexico, in March – before tennis was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I’m always happy with every win I’m able to get, but it was really tricky conditions out here,” she told WTA media. “The ball was moving, it was quite blustery, and Maria hits a tricky ball. She has quite a lot of variety in the way she hits the ball off both sides, so it was a lot of adapting on my behalf.

“I was just really pleased I was able to adapt well and stay tough when I needed to. Every day I just come on court to do the best I can. So far it’s been coming my way. Hopefully, long may it continue.”

Konta has met Azarenka three times, winning two of their matches, the latest a comfortable 6-3 6-1 win in Montreal in 2018.

“We’ve had some great matches against each other,” Konta said. “She’s obviously playing very well as well. She’s an incredible competitor.

“I’m looking forward to playing against another really great competitor out there. That will really challenge me to try to bring out the best level that I can.”

PA