Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Eastbourne: Johanna Konta loses to Ons Jabeur in third round

Written by 
Published in Tennis
Wednesday, 26 June 2019 12:39

British number one Johanna Konta's final tournament before Wimbledon ended in defeat by world number 62 Ons Jabeur in the third round at Eastbourne.

Konta had led by a break in the first set before the Tunisian fought back to win 6-3 6-2.

French Open semi-finalist Konta has failed to transfer this season's clay-court success on to grass, losing in the Birmingham second round last week.

Meanwhile, defending champion Caroline Wozniacki was also knocked out.

The Danish 11th seed was beaten 2-6 6-4 7-6 (7-5) by eighth seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus.

Konta lets match slip away on greasy court

The start of the match had been delayed by around half an hour because of rain at Eastbourne and, when they came back on, the players had a brief discussion at the net about whether the surface was playable.

Konta wiped her hand on the grass and asked Jabeur what she thought, with the Tunisian shrugging but raising no objection.

The Briton got off to a good start, holding to love in her first service game before breaking for 3-2. But Jabeur broke back in the next game and grew in confidence.

Konta seemed tentative on the surface - as if not quite trusting that the court was dry enough - and she was punished for it by the Tunisian.

The Briton's serving, which powered her through a clay-court season where she reached two WTA finals and the last four at Roland Garros, was below par - she won 60% of first-serve points and just 29% of second-serve points. That first figure had been well over 80% in recent weeks.

"I think the rain brought me luck and the win," said Jabeur, who will face Alize Cornet for a place in the semi-finals. Frenchwoman Cornet beat China's Zhang Shuai 6-2 6-2.

"I like the way I played. I like to make crazy shots. The crowd are very fair. Konta is a great player and has inspired me in the past. I hope the crowd can come with me now."

Konta will head to Wimbledon, which starts on Monday, having played five matches on grass this season.

Top seeds into quarter-finals

Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber booked her place in the last eight, coming through a tight first set before running away with the second in a 7-6 (7-4) 6-0 victory over Swedish world number 66 Rebecca Peterson.

The German fourth seed will face former world number one Simona Halep, who beat battling Slovenian Polona Hercog 6-1 4-6 6-3.

Czech second seed Karolina Pliskova took less than an hour to brush aside Elise Merten 6-1 6-2 and set up a quarter-final against Russian world number 52 Ekaterina Alexandrova, who went through after 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko retired when trailing 6-3 2-1.

But Wozniacki's pursuit of a third Eastbourne title was halted by Sabalenka, who lost to the Dane in last year's final.

Wozniacki had led 5-2 in the final set and had a match point but then crumbled as Sabalenka edged the final-set tie-break.

Sabalenka will face third seed Kiki Bertens in the quarter-finals after the Dutch player beat Germany's Anna-Lena Friedsam 6-3 6-3.

Read 544 times

Soccer

Ex-Man Utd, PSG star Herrera joins Boca Juniors

Ex-Man Utd, PSG star Herrera joins Boca Juniors

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFormer Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Ander H...

Haaland signs record new 9.5-year Man City deal

Haaland signs record new 9.5-year Man City deal

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsErling Haaland has signed a record-breaking 9-year contract at Manc...

Poch: U.S. needs arrogance to compete at '26 WC

Poch: U.S. needs arrogance to compete at '26 WC

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsUnited States men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino in...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

AD late scratch; Lakers hopeful he'll face Clippers

AD late scratch; Lakers hopeful he'll face Clippers

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- With Lakers big man Anthony Davis on the bench, a la...

Brotherly love: Balls relish 'great' family reunion

Brotherly love: Balls relish 'great' family reunion

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- Lonzo Ball said the matchups against his brother, LaMelo...

Baseball

After recovery, Seager set to hit 'ground running'

After recovery, Seager set to hit 'ground running'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsARLINGTON, Texas -- - All-Star shortstop and two-time World Series...

Sosa on Cubs Hall of Fame nod: 'Time was right'

Sosa on Cubs Hall of Fame nod: 'Time was right'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- About a month after apologizing for mistakes he made dur...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated