Konta leaves Stephens reeling again

Sloane Stephens (USA) in action during a match against Johanna Konta (GBR) on day six at the All England Lawn and Croquet Club

London (Reuters): Sloane Stephens will be delighted if she never has to face Johanna Konta again after losing to the Briton for the fourth straight occasion and in the second consecutive Grand Slam at Wimbledon on Saturday.

Since the start of the year, the British and American number ones have crossed paths in Brisbane, Rome, at Roland Garros and now Wimbledon, but the result has always been the same.

Konta seems to have the Indian sign over the American, who had the upper hand for much of their encounter at the All England Club but was still beaten 3-6 6-4 6-1.

There is no obvious explanation for Konta’s dominance over Stephens, who is nine places above the Briton in the rankings and a Grand Slam winner.

On her day, the American has shown she can beat anybody, but there is something about Konta’s game that discomforts her, especially when the Briton gets on top.

Stephens has acknowledged that she has had a “rough year” with Konta, who mauled her 6-1 6-4 in their French Open quarter-final, but for all of the first set and much of the second on Saturday, she was the better player.