Konta (2)6-7 6-6 7-6(5) 1-1 Halep
Konta smashes the baseline with a backhand, then cleans up with a forehand volley – she’s been excellent at the net so far today and this latest venture earns her 30-all. But then a tentative jab lets Halep pass her … break-point, saved with a huge forehand! Konta then sends yergirl from side to side, eventually punishing another forehand winner but we end up back at deuce. Konta then earns herself anther advantage, but Halep dominates the next rally, opening a passage to the net and a forehand into the corner. What a match this is! What competitors these two are! But Konta, after snaffling advantage again, nets an unnecessary drop-shot; she was right there, in position to hit the ball extremely hard. More net hijinks follow, a net-cord just about benefitting Konta, and this time she negotiates a hold! we’ve been going two hours and 10 minutes….
