Rabat semi finals

Semi final day in Rabat.

Grand Prix de SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem (Morocco Open) - a WTA International category tournament, on Red Clay, in Rabat, Morocco, 29 April - 4 May 2019.

Defending champion:

Elise Mertens (1) who defeated Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2 7-6(4)

Semi finals

- Ajla Tomljanovic (4) v Johanna Konta (7)

The two players had met three times previously - Konta won in three sets in Brisbane in 2018, Tomljanovic reversed that result in Brisbane this year in straight sets, while a few weeks later in the Australian Open it was Konta successful in three sets, two decided by tie breaks.

Today Tomljanovic served first. An unforced Tomljanovic error and double fault, plus a forehand winner off the Konta racquet gave the Brit two early break points. Tomljanovic saved one with a brilliant forehand winner, but a wayward backhand handed the break to Konta and she consolidated with a love game, a forehand winner highlighted.

The next two games were comfortable service holds, but game five saw Tomljanovic in strife once more. A backhand into the net, a double fault, and a British backhand return winner provided Konta with three break points. Another brilliant return forced an error and a double break for the seventh seed who led 4-1.

The next two games were service breaks, and Konta led 5-2.

Serving for the set, Konta first pushed Tomljanovic wide, setting up an easy put away at the net. Next the serve forced a backhand return wide of the court. 30-0. A wonderful Tomljanovic forehand winner interrupted the Konta flow, but the Brit delivered an ace and it in turn brought up two set points. Only one required, as an Australian backhand return failed to clear the net. 6-2 an impressive display by Konta.

In set two, each player faced and saved a break point - Tomljanovic in game three, Konta in game six.

Apart from that, Tomljanovic was taken to deuce in three of her other service games. None of that mattered as the pair ended up having to contest a tie break.

In a sixteen point breaker, just five points went to serve, three of those in the first four.

Konta led 5 points to 4 with two serves to come and the chance to win the match. Instead Tomljanovic attacked at the net to win one, and a double fault cost Konta the other. Tomljanovic led 6-5 with a set point on her serve. A Konta backhand winner saved it and the pair changed ends at 6-6.

A Tomljanovic backhand into the net gave Konta a 7-6 lead and match point on serve. Her forehand hit the net and it became 7-7. Tomljanovic found the net with her backhand, and now served at 7-8 facing match point again.

A repeat visit into the net by the wretched backhand saw the end of the match.

Johanna Konta defeated Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2 7-6(7)

- Maria Sakkari (6) defeated Alison Van Uytvanck (8) 6-4 6-4, and will play Johanna Konta in the final.