The dream lives on for Johanna Konta. The British No. 1 moved into the fourth round of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships with a resounding 6-4, 6-1 win over Maria Sakkari on Friday. It was a fantastic performance by Konta who needed just one hour and 16 minutes to record the straight-sets victory. With the win, Konta reached the last 16 at the All England Club for the first time in her career.
Providing the impetus for Konta’s victory was her excellent return. She won 44 percent of her receiving points against Sakkari with the world no. 7 converting three of her six break point chances. Konta’s net play was solid as well, winning seven of her eight net points against Sakkari. In this tournament thus far, Konta has won 77 percent of her total net points (37-of-48).
The pressure is definitely building on Konta to end the nation’s 40-year wait for a female Grand Slam champion. Konta, who is pegged at +475to win this year’s Wimbledon, will next face Caroline Garcia in the fourth round. The two stars have faced each other four times before but none of those meetings have come on grass.
For Konta to grab the victory this coming Monday, she needs to continue her solid return play and put pressure on Garcia’s serve. She won 44 percent of her receiving points in the third round against Sakkari. That being said, it’s crucial for Konta that she takes advantage of her break opportunities against Garcia. She has converted just 10 of her 31 break point chances in this Grand Slam event thus far.
Caroline Garcia barged into the fourth round of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships with a convincing-6-4, 6-3 victory over Madison Brengle on Friday. It was an impressive showing from the world no. 22, who needed just one hour and 17 minutes to eliminate the American. Just like in her previous two matches, Garcia’s serve was the main difference once again. She won 73 percent of her first serve points in the straight-sets win against Brengle. Garcia has been sensational in this year’s Wimbledon as she has yet to drop a set in her opening three matches. She has lost a total of 16 games during that span.
Garcia will look to continue her terrific form in the round of 16 when she takes on fan favorite Johanna Konta this coming Monday. The Frenchwoman will be licking her chops at the prospect of facing Konta as she is 2-2 against the Brit in their head-to-head matchup. Garcia won their most recent contest at Indian Wells in March with a tie-break in the decider.
Writer’s Prediction
Konta (-280) wins to become Britain’s first female Wimbledon quarter-finalist since 1984.
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