Johanna Konta beaten in straight sets by Anastasija Sevastova at US Open
Sunday 4 September 2016 20:31, UK
Johanna Konta's US Open hopes were brought to an end as she suffered a 6-4 7-5 fourth round defeat to unseeded Latvian Anastasija Sevastova.
The British No 1 was unable to find her rhythm and range in difficult conditions as sunshine cast a shadow across the Arthur Ashe court that caused both players a host of problems.
12 breaks of serve in the match told it's own story but it was Sevastova's superior shotmaking that proved the crucial factor as she saw off Konta to go with her second round victory over French Open champion Garbine Muguruza.
The 26-year-old Latvian returned to the tour in 2015 having retired due to a string of injury problems in the past but having only made the last 16 of a Grand Slam once before in her career, she went one better with her win over Konta setting up a first ever major quarter-final.
Konta, seeded 13th, went into the match as a strong favourite but it was her unheralded opponent who made the brighter set, breaking Konta in the second game before consolidating for a 3-0 lead.
Despite her advantage the Latvian was clearly unhappy with the conditions, the new roof on the stadium casting a huge shadow across one side of the court and both players had difficulty when serving into the shadow.
On top of Andy Murray's claims that the roof and the rain prevented the players from hearing anything it may prove to be another issues the organisers could do without.
But Konta steadied herself and settled with three successive games, including a first break of her own, that levelled the match.
But Sevastova's skills and a string of unforced errors from the Briton ensured it was Sevastova who broke again for a 5-3 lead before Konta broke back immediately.
However a third break in succession gave Sevastova the first set and put her in charge of the match, control she rubber-stamped with a service hold and early break in the second set.
But with the change of ends came a change of fortune, Sevastova broken by Konta and clearly unhappy with the giant shadow cast across the stadium
With both players unforced error count continuing to mount it seemed a case of the one with the fewest who would prevail, but that would do an injustice to Sevastova's performance as despite the mistakes it was her range of shots and use of the drop shot that disrupted Konta.
Breaks of serve were traded again with Sevastova in front and serving for the match - predictably Konta surivived the scare with another break of her own but only after saving match points in a thrilling climax to the second set.
But it was the Latvian who was to hold firm and seal the win in one hour and 41 minutes to book a showdown with two-time finalist at Flushing Meadows Caroline Wozniackiwho beat American hope Madison Keys in straight sets.
