Page 17 - Aruba Today

SPORTS A17
Thursday 28 January 2016

BRITISH
INVASION

Johanna Konta of Britain hits a forehand return to Zhang Shuai of China during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne,
Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016.

(AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Konta, Murray Win on Distracting Day in Melbourne

DENNIS PASSA Slam for the 18th time. The sets in the fourth round. difference. They’ve been pion Victoria Azarenka 6-3,
AP Sports Writer 24-year-old Konta had a She has won fans at Mel- staying up all ridiculous 7-5.
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) 6-4, 6-1 win over Chinese bourne Park with her athlet- times of the morning,” Kon- The No. 2-ranked Murray,
— In keeping with the way qualifier Zhang Shuai. icism and mental compo- ta said. who has lost four finals at
this Australian Open has It’s the first time since the sure on the court and good Murray is impressed. Melbourne Park, will meet
been going, Andy Mur- Australian Open in De- humor and a polite humility “She’s done incredible,” he Milos Raonic in the semifi-
ray was asked following a cember 1977 that that two in interviews after winning. said. “Another very com- nals. The 25-year-old Ca-
quarterfinal win Wednes- British players (John Lloyd Born in Australia but living in fortable and solid win to- nadian beat Gael Monfils
day about the state of his and Sue Barker) have ad- Britain since her early teens, day. Not easy either. She 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a night
game. And then, invari- vanced to the final four of Konta also has Hungarian created that chance by match, continuing his
ably, about the integrity of any major. citizenship and calls herself beating the seeds, and she strong form that saw him
his sport. Konta is playing in her first a “tri-citizen.” deserves to be where she beat Roger Federer in the
Murray and a much lesser- Australian Open main Asked about her parents’ is.” Brisbane International final
known British player, Jo- draw, after losing in qualify- reaction back home in Brit- Konta, the first British wom- and French Open cham-
hanna Konta, advanced to ing rounds three years in a ain, Konta apologized for an to reach a Grand Slam pion Stan Wawrinka in the
the semifinals Wednesday. row. She had a first-round making them stay up so semifinal since Jo Durie fourth round here.
Murray beat David Ferrer win over No. 8 Venus Wil- late. at the 1983 U.S. Open, will
6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-3 to reach liams and beat No. 21 Ekat- “I’m pretty sure they have play Angelique Kerber, Continued on page 21
the semifinals at a Grand erina Makarova in straight jet lag because of the time who beat two-time cham-