By Daily Sports on January 24, 2017

British number one Johanna Konta believes she has done everything she can to be ready for her first meeting with 22-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams at the Australian Open.

Konta, 25, will face second seed Williams in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

"I've played quite a few Grand Slam champions and former world number ones," said world number nine Konta.

"So I've prepared myself as much as possible for a competitor like Serena."

Konta beat Russian 30th seed Ekaterina Makarova 6-1 6-4 to reach the last eight without dropping a set.

She has a 2-1 winning record over Serena's sister Venus - a nine-time Grand Slam winner and former world number one - including a first-round victory at last year's Australian Open.

It will be Konta's second quarter-final at a Grand Slam, after reaching the semi-final in Melbourne last year, compared to 35-year-old Serena's 47th.

"I've been fortunate enough that I've played her sister a few times and I think she's just as incredible," said Konta.

"I was thinking I'd love the opportunity to be on court with her before she retires. But I doubt she's talking retirement.

"She will be playing until the very last ball she can physically hit. Hopefully it won't be the last time I play her before she retires."

'I watch Konta a lot'

Serena, in pursuit of her seventh Australian Open title, had only played two matches between the end of the US Open in August and her first-round victory in Melbourne.

Konta, meanwhile, remained busy on tour and took her world ranking from 49 at the end of 2015 to a career-high of nine.

"I watch her game a lot. She's been doing really, really well, She has a very attacking game and I look forward to it," said Serena.

"I have absolutely nothing to lose in this tournament. Everything here is a bonus for me. Obviously I am here to win, and hopefully I can play better." (bbc.co.uk)

•Photo shows Johanna Konte

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 23, 2017

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