Johanna Konta advanced to the semifinals of the Bank of The West Classic with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 win over Saisai Zheng.

Konta wins first set in a rout

Zheng is not a powerful player and she lost serve right away, a backhand dumped into the net off a powerful Konta return. It could've been worse as the Chinese nearly got down a double break, but she was able to save two break points to stay in touch at 3-2. She wasn't as fortunate the next time she stepped up to the line, broken to give Konta a 5-2 lead. The Brit served out the set to 15, taking it 6-2 in 36 minutes, unaware of the battle that lies ahead.

Konta won the first set easily and appeared to be on her way to an easy win/Photo: Lachian Cunningham/Getty Images
Konta won the first set easily and appeared to be on her way to an easy win/Photo: Lachian Cunningham/Getty Images

Server broken in seven of the ten games, Zheng emerges with the set to force a decider

Both players held to start the second set, something that would become rare as the set moved along. Six straight breaks left the set even at 4-4 and Zheng was abe to hold in the ninth game, Konta forcing deuce, but getting no further. The seventh and final break came in the tenth game, Konta double-faulting to hand Zheng the set 6-4 in 54 minutes, forcing a third and deciding set.

There were seven breaks in the second set and Zheng benefitted from the last one to win the second set and even the match/Photo: Lachian Cunningham/Getty Images
There were seven breaks in the second set and Zheng benefitted from the last one to win the second set and even the match/Photo: Lachian Cunningham/Getty Images

Konta breaks twice late after letting early lead slip to reach the semifinals

Konta broke right away in the final set, a crosscourt backhand winner sealing the break and appearing to get the Brit back on track, but Zheng rebounded and broke in the fourth game. After Konta saved two break points from 15-40 down, she was unable to save a third, Zheng's swinging volley forcing Konta to unsuccessfully try a lob, just landing long. The key moments of the match came soon thereafter as Konta saved two break points to level the set at 3-3. She then broke Zheng to 15 with a precise backhand crosscourt to take a 4-3 lead. Closing in style, the third seed broke a final time in the ninth game when Zheng missed a relatively easy overhead, Konta winning 15 of the last 18 points to take the third set 6-3 and the match in two hours, 23 minutes.

Konta closed with a flurry, winning the final four games to take the match/Photo: Lachian Cunningham/Getty Images
Konta closed with a flurry, winning the final four games to take the match/Photo: Lachian Cunningham/Getty Images

Cibulkova next

Konta advances to the semifinals to face second seed Dominika Cibulkova. Cibulkova won her quarterfinal match over fifth seed Misaki Doi 7-5, 6-0.