Konta stays true to self as Williams issues final warning

Serena Williams of the United States speaks during a press conference, ahead of Saturday's women's singles final against Angelique Kerber of Germany at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

Konta was bidding to become the first female British grand slam finalist since Virginia Wade won Wimbledon 39 years ago but her hopes were dashed on Thursday as Angelique Kerber sealed a 7-5 6-2 victory.

This was the first year Konta had ever made it into the Australian Open main draw, let alone the semis, as 12 months ago she lost in the first round of qualifying.

‘’I don’t feel very different,’’ said Konta, who is expected to climb into the world’s top 30 at the end of the tournament.

‘’Both times I was looking forward to going home to see my family.

‘’I go home to see my parents, spend some time in my own bed. That stays the same.

‘’It depends what you view as disappointment. I don’t live my life and feel my happiness or joy on my wins and losses.’’

Konta had been hoping to extend Britain’s excellent showing in Melbourne, with Andy Murray beating Milos Raonic on Friday in the semi-finals of the singles and Jamie Murray making it through to the doubles final alongside Brazilian Bruno Soares.

Jamie Murray wants to make it third time lucky after he lost with former partner John Peers in the finals at both Wimbledon and the US Open last year.

He and Soares, who linked up at the start of this season, will face the experienced duo of Canada’s Daniel Nestor and Czech Radek Stepanek on Saturday.

‘’I think I know what to expect,’’ said Murray.

‘’Obviously I came up on the wrong side the last two times I was in the final but it wasn’t like I played bad matches or anything like that.

‘’I fully trust myself that I can perform in those matches. I believe Bruno can as well. I think the mentality we’ve got and the chemistry we seem to have struck up these last couple of weeks will bode well for us.

‘’We’ll give it all we’ve got. We know it’s going to be a tough match.’’

Serena Williams, meanwhile, has warned today’s Australian Open final opponent Angelique Kerber that she is playing even better than last year when she won three grand slam titles.

Williams is yet to drop a set at the first grand slam of the season and she enters the final as the strong favourite to clinch a seventh Melbourne crown.

“I would say this is probably the best slam I’ve played in a year, and I’ve won a lot in a year,” said Williams. “I know my practices are better. Hopefully I’m playing better. So I definitely can play more consistent.

“Again, I haven’t won this one. But even if I don’t win, I really can take away that I’ve been really consistent, and I want to continue that.”