Konta topples Venus for first WTA title

SAN FRANCISCO, California: Britain’s Johanna Konta captured her first WTA title in style on Sunday, beating former world number one Venus Williams 7-5, 5-7, 6-2 at the WTA hardcourt tournamet.

Konta, ranked 18th in the world and seeded third, appeared on her way to an emphatic victory in her first career final after racing to a 4-1 lead with two breaks of serve in the second set.

But Williams, seeking her 50th career title, won six of the next seven games to knot the match at a set apiece.

The 25-year-old Konta, who fired 12 aces to three from Williams, didn’t let the seven-time Grand Slam champion’s resurgence rattle her.

“Refreshed after a brief bathroom break, she broke Williams in the third game of the final set, and took a 3-1 lead with her 10th ace of the match.

She broke Williams again to serve for the match at 5-2, and despite a couple of nervy missteps in the final game sealed the victory on her third match point.