Stanford: Konta tops Venus for first WTA title

Britain’s Johanna Konta broke through for her first WTA singles title and denied Venus Williams her 50th career triumph with a 7-5 5-7 6-2 win in the Stanford final.

The 25-year-old Konta, playing in her first final, pounded the ball from every spot on the court on Sunday, much to the disappointment of the 2,268 strong crowd which was largely rooting for the American icon.

“It’s actually quite an incredibly humbling experience,” Konta said.

“It’s a great validation of the hard work you’ve been putting in and it’s a great motivator on the things you want to keep getting better at.

“I played her twice previously. I knew going into it I was going to be playing against a magnitude of experience. Venus Williams doesn’t need an introduction.”

Konta held on in the third set after squandering a 4-1 lead in the second to open the door for Williams to come back.

When Williams netted her forehand return on the third match point, Konta finally prevailed.

“She played at such a high level today,” Williams said. “She saved her best tennis for the final, which is what you want to do.”

Konta is having a blast being part of British tennis right now, everyone “riding high after Wimbledon” with Andy Murray winning at home.

Over the two-hour, 18-minute match, the third-seeded Konta figured out Williams’ big serve for the second time this year, as she stood some 10 feet behind the baseline to return.

She also stunned Williams with a straight-sets victory in the first round at this year’s Australian Open.

Konta is headed to the Olympics next month in Rio, having become the first British woman to reach the final at Stanford since Virginia Wade’s runner-up finish in 1981.

While Williams was denied her career singles championship No.50, her 49 tournament wins are second among active players only behind younger sister Serena’s 71.