Johanna Konta's French Open semi-final brought forward due to threat of rain
WTA describe the change to the scheduling of the women's singles semi-finals as "unfair and inappropriate"
Thursday 6 June 2019 19:56, UK
Johanna Konta will play her French Open semi-final at 10am UK time on Friday, after tournament organisers made adjustments to the schedule due to the threat of bad weather.
The British No 1 will meet Czech teenager Marketa Vondrousova on the 5,000-capacity Court Simonne-Mathieu, while the second semi-final between Ashleigh Barty and 17-year-old American Amanda Anisimova will take place concurrently on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
Downpours forced play to be washed out on Wednesday, which pushed back the British No 1's match against Czech teenager - scheduled for Thursday - by a day, with further rain forecasted on Friday.
The WTA said it was "extremely disappointed" by the scheduling, which CEO and chairman Steve Simon called "unfair and inappropriate" in a statement.
"There's no doubt that scheduling has been challenged by weather conditions and the WTA understands the scheduling issues presented at Roland Garros," Simon said.
"We are, however, extremely disappointed by the scheduling of both women's semi-finals on outside courts. This decision is unfair and inappropriate.
"The four women who have played so well and made it this far have earned their right to play on the biggest stage. We believe other solutions were possible which would have been to the benefit of fans as well as all players."
The men's semi-finals will both take place on Roland Garros' main show court, called Philippe-Chatrier, starting with Rafael Nadal against Roger Federer at 11:50am UK time followed by world No 1 Novak Djokovic against 2018 runner-up Dominic Thiem.
Konta, seeded 26th, is aiming to become the first British woman to reach the French Open final since Sue Barker, who won the title in 1976.
Anisimova stunned defending champion Simona Halep in their quarter-final match, before Barty beat Madison Keys to become the third maiden Grand Slam semi-finalist, after Vondrousova did so on Tuesday.
The rescheduling means Anisimova and Barty will have won three matches in three days if they win the title, with the final set for Saturday.
Djokovic and Thiem, will have played three matches in four days if either player lifts the trophy after Sunday's showpiece.
We have the 2019 French Open covered from all angles via our website skysports.com/tennis. On the move? Head to our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis to join in the conversation.
