MENU BELIEVE IN EXTRAORDINARY - BRING ON THE GREAT SPORT PROFILER ABOUT US TEAM GB CLUB TENNIS Konta goes out in battling defeat 01 OCTOBER 2015 / 15:51 Johanna Konta admits she is looking forward to a well-earned rest after she produced a dogged performance to go down fighting against Venus Williams at the Wuhan Open. Williams took the match in three sets 6-4 3-6 7-5 but the five-time Wimbledon champion was pushed all the way by the 24-year-old Brit. The performance was another in a remarkable streak of form for Konta who is set to overtake Heather Watson as Britain’s number one. That run reached its crescendo with a stunning fightback victory over world number two Simona Halep on Wednesday to set up the clash with Williams. And it looked like there might be another moment of magic for Konta who served for the match in the decider before Williams fought back for the win. “I was happy with my overall performance and even thought I was serving for the match I don’t feel I lost it; Venus raised her game and played incredible tennis,” she told Sky Sports. “I grew up watching her and feel lucky that I got to share a court with a champion. But I also definitely wanted to win out there and I did give my best but in the end it wasn’t good enough. I’m now looking forward to a good night’s sleep. “For me, rankings are neither here nor there. What really makes me happy are the consistent performances I’ve put in here day in, day out.” Konta started quickly against the American, earning two break points in the opening game, only for Williams to fight back before breaking to go 2-0 ahead. There was a break for Konta – who had won 21 of her previous 22 matches – as she hit back in the third but Williams once again showed her prowess to break on her way to the first set. But the Briton wasn’t done and took full advantage of Williams’ errors on serve to break twice in the second and force a decider. She then opened up a 5-3 lead in the third and an opportunity to serve for a place in the final four but Williams was once again resilient and battled back to take the match. However, despite defeat, the performance once again highlights Konta’s rise through the ranks. The Australian-born player was ranked 305 in 2011 and started 2015 at 150th in the world. Since then she has taken two ITF titles in Granby and Vancouver and is set to rise into the top 50 after her performances in Wuhan. "Everything is a process and a journey, and it's nice to be on a high right now,” she said after victory over Halep. "I'm not that amazed, overwhelmed or unnecessarily excited about every match. I'm an ambitious person and believe in my own ability. "But I know how tennis works - there are ups and downs." Sportsbeat 2015 Read Next OLYMPIC24 03 OCTOBER 2015 Olympic24: Pitchford battles hard, Grainger looks at bigger picture OLYMPIC24 02 OCTOBER 2015 Olympic24: Plucky Konta loses out, Phillips on a mission TENNIS 01 OCTOBER 2015 Konta goes out in battling defeat Most Popular this Week 20 SEPTEMBER 2015 Murray ignores tiredness to help GB reach Davis Cup final 20 SEPTEMBER 2015 Florence crowned world champion in London 25 SEPTEMBER 2015 Non Stanford: The Inside Track View more articles WORLDWIDE PARTNERS WORLDWIDE PARTNERS OFFICIAL PARTNERS OFFICIAL PARTNERS OFFICIAL SUPPORTERS JET SET SPORTS KROW COMMUNICATIONS OCEAN OUTDOOR CONTACT US ABOUT US SHOP GET SET PARTNERS & SUPPLIERS MEDIA & PRESS BOA BOARD SITEMAP FAQ TERMS & CONDITIONS PRIVACY POLICY LEGAL © British Olympic Association. The British Olympic Association is a company registered in England and Wales with its registered office at 60 Charlotte Street London W1T 2NU. Registered number is 01576093 SUPPLIER RECOGNITION SCHEME TEAM GB GOLD CLUB ATHLETES COMMISSION INTENSIVE REHABILITATION UNIT RIO 2016 PREP CAMP