There has been a lot of negativity surrounding Jo Konta’s semi-final defeat to Marketa Vondrousova in Paris, but I don’t think it’s fair to give her too much stick. It is true, she led 5/3 in both sets and lost both and yes she did get a little tight but I think it is being a bit disrespectful to Vondrousova. She once again proved how much she has to her game. Nerves were always going to play a part today in both semis and Vondrousova kept it in well with the finishing line in sight in both sets. It is a chance missed for Konta, make no mistake about that, but this was not a given like is being made out. Konta was barely a favourite for the match but would have actually been a clear outsider pretournament against the Czech. This has still been a fantastic five matches from Konta but for Vondrousova the dream is still very much alive. She compared her run to Osatpenko’s here two years ago and you can’t argue with that.

What I did find remarkable about all this was that the FFT decided to put this match on the Court Simonne-Mathieu (the third court at Roland Garros). It is a Ladies semi-final, seriously??

Even Ash Barty and Amanda Anisimova were bombed out onto the Suzanne Lenglen at the same time to trade blows in their semi. Barty threw away a 5/0 lead in the opening set here and eventually lost the breaker. It wasn’t long before she found herself down 3/0 in the second too. From there she got back to basics and as in the other semi, she kept her nerves in control better than the young American in the end. Anisimova said she was outplayed after and in fairness, nobody can argue that Barty fully deserves this. Her exciting brand of tennis and full commitment to the game since her return has been first class.

As has always been the case at Roland Garros, Rafa had too much for Federer. The conditions being as slow and windy as they were meant Federer had little chance to impose his game. I actually don’t think he played that badly, I think a few would disagree but what did you expect overall from the match? I don’t think there is much doubt in my mind that this has been a pretty big success for Fed in Paris. He should have his eye back in nicely for the grass and he hasn’t been over exerted in France. Rafa, what can you say, he probably wasn’t near his best but he generally plays each set so well in a slam and you are done in straights without knowing it.

Nole is fighting for his life though as he trails Dominic Thiem by a break in the third, the match is at a set apiece. The wind seemed even worse in this match and Djokovic had a bit of a moan about it. It suited to him to come off and he is being accused of basically telling the FFT that the match was finished for the evening and left the venue. I don’t believe that it is a bit like the Rena incident after the Kenin match, the tournament will make these sort of calls. However, why it was called off so early this evening is a mystery to me? Thiem continues to impress me and though I clearly rated him, he has had me eating a little tiny bit of humble pie over my opinions on his chances this year in Paris.

This will be finished before the Ladies Final tomorrow, let’s hope we get a good day of weather.

Andy Del Potro