Saturday 16 June 2018 00:25, UK
Johanna Konta reached her first semi-final since Wimbledon last year with a 6-4 6-2 victory over Dalila Jakupovic at the Nature Valley Open in Nottingham.
The British No 1 has hit form on grass after a disappointing season up to now and proved too steady for an erratic opponent. Konta next faces Croatian Donna Vekic, who beat her in the final 12 months ago.
It was a first meeting between Konta and Jakupovic, and it was the Slovenian who made the first move with a break for 2-1. But Konta did not panic and seized her chance when her opponent became more wayward, winning four games in a row to take the first set.
Jakupovic had an early break in the second as well but Konta was quickly back on terms and ensured there were no slip-ups against a demoralised opponent.
Following their clash here 12 months ago, Konta and Vekic met in the second round of Wimbledon, with the British player coming through 10-8 in the deciding set. Vekic beat Mona Barthel 7-5 6-1 in the first quarter-final of the dal.
British No 4 Katie Boulter was making her first appearance in a WTA Tour quarter-final but found top seed Ashleigh Barty too savvy, the Australian winning 6-0 6-2.
Barty will face Naomi Osaka in the other semi-final on Saturday after the Japanese player saw off Mihaela Buzarnescu in straight sets 6-4 6-1.
We will return for more tennis coverage from the ATP Tour when we head to Germany for the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, live on Sky Sports Arena from 11am on Monday June 18.
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