Siniakova knocks out Konta to set up final clash with Riske at Shenzhen

No. 3 seed Johanna Konta of Britain encountered a third consecutive three-setter here on Friday, losing to Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 4-6, 4-6, and missing the final of the WTA Shenzhen Open.

The 52nd-ranked Siniakova, who upset second seed Simona Halep in the second round, maintained her momentum from her victorious second set to break at the starter of the decider. The world number 10 then broke back in the 4th and 6th games, but Siniakova immediately broke twice in the 7th and 9th games and held her own two to seal the victory with her third ace in the match.

"She really raised her level in the next two sets, she was going for every single shot and she played quite freely, so it was a difficult match for me to do whatever l like," Konta told a press briefing after the match.

Konta went into the match with a strong start as the British No. 1 broke her rival's service games three times and held her own two to surge a 5-0 lead. Although the Czech roused herself to break back in the 6th game, the third seed broke again, concluding the set 6-1.

It was Siniakova first meeting with Konta, and the Czech adjusted herself quickly in the second set as she seized the chance to break in the third game and level the scoreboard at 6-4.

Up next for the Czech youngster will be a final clash with last year's runner-up Alison Riske of the United States.

The Shenzhen Open, inaugurated in 2013, offers the highest prize money of any of the international tier events on the calendar, totaling 750,000 US dollars. Enditem