Quarter-Finals Tennis: Eastbourne

Welcome to Eastbourne, the fourth day of the Aegon International down

by the seaside. Even if you are a seagull, the weather is eternally

fascinating. We had the store moss that, boy, did we have the storm. We

were amazed the Hotel had a roof on this morning having not been blown

out into the channel. Come 10am, it was fantastic, the most glorious

summer's morning. Now, the cloud cover is increasing and there is the

likelihood of rain, but we're not sure when. For the moment, we have

play and will have live action for you in a moment. If you are widows

at tea-time last night, we had to leave you with a key moment in the

first set between Johanna Konta and Kvitova. Give it a fair one of the

first set even though Joanna had served for it twice. In the third

set, played some blistering tennis and so here is much point to the

British and one. COMMENTATOR: What a way to finish.

Contact is back in the quarters at Devonshire Park. -- one content.

STUDIO: That is one of John Konta's best ever wins and it means she is

through to the quarterfinals. The other match is taking place at the

moment and Petkovic has just won the first set. These are the nine

players who still remain in the draw. We are at the quarterfinal

stage. Johanna Konta is waiting for the

winner of that match at the bottom. The order of play, we have here.

Yesterday, we had an outstanding day's play. Uninterrupted play and

the quality of the matches were fantastic.

Without further ado... Let us go live to Centre Court where Christina

Mladenovic -- Stena Milunovich is playing. The first set went to the

girl from Puerto Rico. This is the French serving to square things.

The French number one, Kristina Mladenovic touch is minding the

Puerto Rican number one, she is a difficult woman to put away.

Mladenovic had the best of the first set, couldn't take it. Has already

had a couple of set points just one game ago. Struggling to serve it

out. We have two players within four months of each other. Mladenovic is

23, Puig will be 23 in September. They know each other so well.

These to know each other's games inside out, they will have played a

number of times in junior events. They have played three previous

times on tour. Mladenovic leads their head-to-head 2-1. First time

on a grass court. A very tight Kristina Mladenovic

should complaining about the court, which she had plenty of time for.

Still one left, plenty of time to serve it out. Once again, Puig

slipped the net. She has had a wonderful week, coming through

qualifying. Both players making their main draw debut but Puig so

impressive coming back from a set down yesterday to beat Caroline

Wozniacki, the former champion. Mladenovic has been great, too,

still wearing her zebra outfit from the French Open where, along with

her best friend Caroline Garcia, they won the doubles in the first

time in 40 years or so. Great celebrations there. She is so happy

she will keep that outfit, but not for Wimbledon. It will have to go by

the wayside. She has had a good week, as well. Took out between ski

-- took out the fourth seed and then backed it up against the big hitting

German. Mladenovic, I've always thought as a really good game for

grass. I remember her playing the finals of junior Wimbledon and she

made the finals in Holland a couple of weeks ago. She is coming along

well now. After a few years of... I don't know what she was doing, but

it wasn't happening. It is always difficult to make that transition as

a successful junior, she is junior Grand Slam champion. The French Open

she won as a junior. It is difficult with all the expectations and the

pressure, but she has the game very well suited to grass. There is her

father. He is often courtside. Thank you, we are ready for play. Monica

Puig looking to hang on once more in this second set.

She's got three challenges, incorrect ones left, in the sector.

That was rather hopeful. Doesn't want to do all this work to throw it

away. It's a big game, Monica Puig

assesses. Totally fearless, not afraid to go for it. So that

yesterday in her win over Caroline Wozniacki.

Now then, can Mladenovic finish things off here and finally take

this to a decider? More set points for the French

number one. It drifts long. In the end, it took

some doing, but it is Mladenovic who levelled this match up to take it

into a decider. STUDIO: That is a quarterfinal

match, but this is a last 16 game for the right to play Jo Konta later

today in the last eight. This is Andrea Petkovic of Germany. That is

the first set. That was 20 minutes or so ago. This

is live now. Three apiece. The winner of this match will play

Jo Konta and if that match those last a long time and the matches on

Centre Court go very rapidly, we may have a slight hiatus between matches

to give whoever happens to win this match some time to recover before

they play Jo Konta. I think I am correct in saying that you have to

have two hours... Just an hour and a half, apparently, minimum, between

one match and the next round. In the last 30 seconds, some news we're

just hearing for Wimbledon next week. Victoria as a drinker has just

pulled out with injury. She was seeded sixth.

-- Victoria Azarenka. Some, what is your take on Victoria Azarenka? Is

this a long-term problem? She has had an enormous amount of injury

issues over the last three years, since she was the world number one.

It is such a shame because she got back such fine style, this year

winning in Wales and Miami. Winning them back-to-back. That doesn't

happen very often. For her to have more injury worries is such a blow

as she spent a lot of time on the physio couch. Quite brief and young

career and that is bad news for her personally and for women's tennis.

She is a big star and we will miss her.

Always felt you never know quite what you're going to get from

Kristina Mladenovic from day to day from one set to another.

Oh, no. She sets the point up perfectly.

This could be quite costly error at the end of this set from Mladenovic.

A great drop shot, just rushed as she ran up to the forehand.

Terrible start to this final set and even though Puig dropped the second,

all the momentum with the young Puerto Rican.

I am with that sad news that Victoria Azarenka has pulled out of

Wimbledon. That would push Joe Konta -- Jo Konta from 17th to 16th seed.

That is correct, yes. She is going to go upstairs into the posh locker

room. That is a major upgrade. Separate locker rooms for those

seeded one to 16 for the rest of the draw.

Monica Puig also had a very good junior career, but developed a

couple of years later, even though they are the same age.

Both pretty close in their own Kingsman. Mladenovic at 33, Monica

Puig lower but just inside the world's top 100. She has had a

terrific run. She's got great court awareness,

Mladenovic. I don't think there's a shot in the book that can't hit.

Incredibly talented Frenchwoman. Maybe that has been the problem in

her development. Too many options. And a slight dislike of listening to

coaches. Puig certainly the more solid of the

two. Backs up the break in fine style.

She is gritty, determined. Fierce stare, isn't there, under that

headband? She contains a lot of her emotions much better now. She used

to be quite tough on herself but definitely more mature these days.

The shooting through on this quarter. -- court.

Despite all the rain, because this Court had so much play yesterday, we

could almost see it happen before our eyes. It seems to have hardened

and quickened up. Busy Killie anything within a few

inches of that baseline. It's not bad, is it for your sixth

match of the week? Come through qualifying, have the weekend. She

isn't tiring. You shouldn't get tired in your

early 20s. Such a lovely athlete. Her father played handball and her

mum was a pro volleyball player. A younger brother is helping with

coaching duties and is a talented soccer player.

This is an important game for Mladenovic. You should see her with

a football. AGP yuppies are good. You often see how warming up with a

football before practice sessions. A tall woman, six foot plus, very

talented. She got away with it, but Mladenovic

has to be careful she doesn't overplay the drop shot.

She has been doing that too often. Puig not happy.

STUDIO: While that matches in the balance, this game is, too. The much

that is taking place on Court One, where the prize is a quarterfinal

against Joanna quarter -- Johanna Konta.

COMMENTATOR: This match has been played at such a frantic pace, it is

nice to have a breather. Packed house once again on the Centre

Court. Everything is sold out today on the show courts. You need your

Wellington boots, don't you? Sloshing around the outside courts.

Sludge everywhere. Placements for Mladenovic. Mixing it

up well. I am surprised she hasn't gone to the ad court, but she did in

the second set. She switched it up and that is where you want to serve

two Puig. She has a great slice serve. I'm

surprised she hasn't used it effectively.

She has to keep finding ways of junking it around.

Mladenovic's coach has worked with a number of French players over the

years. When the ball sits up in the middle

of the court for her to hit, boy, does she do a good job.

Third time in this game she has found that line and Puig extends her

lead. Yesterday, head coach told her to

stay up on that baseline, be aggressive. -- her

We are having four Seasons in one day.

I look at my wardrobe and think, what do I wear? But confusion.

Ninth ace, second in this game, keeps Mladenovic in touch. That is

the server I am talking about. She has the height. She doesn't have to

go in the corner of the box. Shorter out-of-the-box is the effective one

on the deuce side. How much pressure do you think is on her? In French

tennis, they have been waiting for her to be the next big superstar for

some time. I think so much has been expected of her. So much pressure,

she was so good, so soon from a young age. It hasn't been easy but

she can say she is a Grand Slam champion now on the doubles court.

She has been successful on the Mixed Doubles court in the Grand Slams,

picking up her first Grand Slam doubles title at the French Open

with Caroline Garcia. Surely they have to be medal contenders in Rio.

I wonder that if in the last New Year 's, concentrating on doubles

has taken away something from the singles. There have been all kinds

of theories as to why she is not closer to the top ten. I feel like

she plays a lot. Seems like every week of the year, there is a Wizard

tournament somewhere and Christine Mladenovic's name is in the draw.

She has had an incredible run from being French Open doubles champion,

she went over to Holland to play there. She had a great week there

despite limited practice on a grass court. They have grass courts in

Majorca now. Puig up a break in the final set.

There have been some very long matches on this Centre Court this

week. What a treat the fans had yesterday. Such high-quality tennis.

It looks like today that if the rain stays away, we will get very much

the same. Having a few woes with that second

serve, that is her seventh double. Wild. Sometimes it is hard to see

with Mladenovic why she misses. She looks like she is set up perfectly.

No, she knows it. There are times where she looks to be too clever on

some of her shot selections. She had time to just hit through that with a

drive for Lee. -- drive volley. It is a big hold from Puig.

A lovely reception from the fancier in Devonshire Park. Both making the

main draw debut here. I don't think so many would know who they are but

they are really enjoying the level of tennis they are seeing out here.

It is a fabulous match. There has been some very high-quality tennis

this week. I think the depth in the women's game is so much stronger

these days. The ball toss just a little too far

in front, it was never making it. You can tell when the ball toss goes

up. There are a lot of players that happens too. It gets too far forward

and you think it would be easy to throw it up OK but somehow under

pressure it is not. She has simplified that serve over the years

though. Less going on with the take back than they used to be.

Not the right choice of shot here by. -- Puig. She was straight up the

line, that would have been a better choice.

The French number one hands on. Once again she keeps it to just one

break. Monica was named after Monica Seles

by her mother. I wonder what is the ceiling on her potential

development. She has had a wonderful year so far and there are not many

who strike the ball as well as she does. The sound of the racket is

extraordinary. She has great timing from the back of the court and moves

well from side to side. She can still develop her serve and her game

at the front of the court. Not so comfortable going forward than

moving side to side. I think she can definitely be a top 20 player. I am

sure she has the determination and desire to do what it takes. But does

she have the willingness to improve on her game and add to it? That is

my question. You get to a certain level as a player some players are

no Tory sleaze stubborn. All tennis players think they know it all and

it is any wonder why anyone high any coaches because you always think you

know best. It can be a strength but a weakness as well. Puig has been

very impressive this week. Has enjoyed her grass court season. By

the time they come to is born, it is the third tournament. They are not

worrying about the bad bounces and how the ball comes through, they are

feeling comfortable. As is Puig here, serving with a break in the

final set. Just the one area that does let her

down. She really goes after that second serve but does not put much

spin on it when playing doubles now. -- does not put much spin on it.

Nine doubles now. There is a prime example of why she

is not comfortable at the net. Oh dear, now. Mladenovic's break

point conversion, five from 21 opportunities. That comes back to

bite you if she doesn't win this match.

It would be a start if she put the return into play.

Oh, she was so tight. Bunting the first two balls back. It plays on

your mind, when you have had that many opportunities to break your

opponent's serve, it becomes harder and harder. The fewer you convert

on. There is a lot at stake here. You

can pretty much see the tension. The tournament, premier event, a

semifinal place up for grabs. It is big for these two.

Where would you have Puig serving right now? To Mladenovic's forehand.

Yes, it is long, she might have a look at it but it was beyond that

line. And Puig potentially within one game. She has got it wrong. She

had three challenges and should have challenged it and would have still

been in the game. It will be her mum's fault if she doesn't win this.

Different sport you see, volleyball to tennis. Mladenovic now finds

herself serving to stay in this quarterfinal.

She has barely missed a ball from that part of the court, Puig.

May be full Christina at this part of his career, there are to moments

and not enough solid red and butter tennis because that is what you get

from Puig. Great ground strokes, Mladenovic in a big spot here.

May be that has been the difference here this afternoon. Two match

points. What a performance and Puig the

qualifier is through to the last four. A gritty performance from

Monica Puig, she fought hard for that match and in the end she was

more solid of the two from the back of the court.

A standing ovation in a match Mladenovic should have won the first

set but lost it on a break. What a week she is having, six matches

played, six wins for Monaco. Really enjoying her time on the grass. Made

the semis in Nottingham. She flew over to Majorca last meek and got a

match there but what preparation for Wimbledon. She won't be seeded but

she will be a dangerous floater, as we call them, in the draw. She is

with Annabel Croft. Congratulations moniker, a very tough match and a

tough opponent, what got you across the line? Staying mentally tough.

Another tiring much like yesterday, I had to maintain focus and keep

trusting myself and what I could do out there. You had to run for a lot

of drop shots today. Yes, I think I ran quite a bit but I don't think I

will run any more today. How did you regroup for that final set and find

another gear? Trust in myself and how I have played this week. I am

playing good tennis so it is about staying mentally strong and trying

to get it all together in the end. Into the semifinal, you have

Cibulkova or Radwanska, what do they bring to the court? Another really

tough matchup. They both play well on grass. I will have to be on my

toes or that one but I will try and enjoy this one first. Root well

done, our first semifinalist ladies and gentlemen, Monica Puig. As

Annabel was saying, this time last week she was contemplating the first

week of qualifying and now he is through to the semifinals. Here is

the last person through to the quarterfinals, Ekaterina Makarova

who has just beaten Andrea Petkovic. Her reward for that is a match later

this afternoon against Britain's Jo Konta in the fourth quarterfinal

played today. This is how the draw looks as it was completed. It is

getting narrowed down even more. Radwanska against Cibulkova coming

up in moments. The winner of Vesnina and discover will play the winner of

the match of Jo Konta this afternoon. Mentioning Cibulkova,

there she is, she has just been on the court bind us bring her warm up

exercises. She will doubtless stop doing that in a second, but the

rackets in her bag and walk 50 yards or so across to Centre Court. She

will play a very interesting opponent and the top seed here,

Agnieszka Radwanska. Cibulkova is not your normal tennis player, she

is much smaller than almost everyone on tour, five feet three. She is a

feisty and combustible character. When she came appear yesterday after

victory in the last round, you can see why she is such an engaging

character. I don't see myself as little as I am. Maybe that is why I

am not afraid. It motivates me. I have to give something extra on the

court to beat these girls. I have energy, that is how I go after every

ball. It is something I have I can think that way. Was that a

motivation when you were younger. Watching some of the top juniors out

in the world and they are five feet ten, five feet 11 at 16 or 17. You

have had to deal with this with the word go. The macro it was the

biggest motivation I had when I was younger. Nobody kind of believed in

me. So many people told me why was I trying it because I was too small.

But I really wanted to play tennis. I had to practice extra and do extra

things and that got me here. Talking about things that are small, you

have two dogs who are very small. Ridiculously so. Do you want to hold

that up for the camera. What breed are they? Your keys. Can we hold up

that one. There we are. His name is Woody and she is mere. He is five

years and she is two and a half. I read that they travel the world with

you. They travel with us almost everywhere. It is hard to get them

to England because of the currency. The travel agent told us last it

might be fine so we flew from the Netherlands to England. My boyfriend

had to come back home to bring them over because they did not allow us

on the plane. We tried once and we didn't try it this year. They have

not sampled the joys of Eastbourne beach yet. What is the most

ridiculous place in the world you have taken them? Acapulco. In

Mexico. They loved it. We had a hotel on the beach. Do you speak

Spanish? We would take them on the morning walk and they love the

seaside. You are quite outspoken as well but you are very interesting in

a world where sometimes people can be homogenous and grey. I must ask

you about sniffing the tennis balls. Where did that start? I smell

things, I like to smell things. When I get the new balls, if you get with

the balls from the US Open and Roland Garros I could tell the

difference. Like Pepsi and Coke. It became a habit. I wish we could do

that now with football. Did you watch on Monday night? I have to be

honest, I don't watch football. Really? I like to watch ice hockey.

I like different sports but for me, football, no. It is really boring. I

guarantee that if Slovakia get through to the final of the Euros,

you will be excited? Yes, you are right. But I am honest, my team went

to the pub and were watching. They said they could not be really loud

because they thought they were going to beat them. Not in Eastbourne.

They were really quiet. I was really happy for the guys, I think it is

the first time Slovakia have got out of the group. It is great for them.

I will really cheer and I want them to go far

How confident are the be here at the weekend? I have already won a couple

of tough matches, so if you're really confident. It is great to

talk to you. Thank you. Please welcome, representing...

Dominika Cibulkova. There is one have other

quarterfinal. Here is the other half. The number one seed. From

Poland. A big challenge ahead for her. She is yet to lose a set, but

every game has been pretty tough up to this point, she readily admitted

when she popped up here yesterday. There are no more easy matches. Even

if you play and lower ranked player, it is still a really tough match. A

few years ago you play maybe your game at 40% and you could still win

a match. Today, in this case, no chance. I think the level is going

up and up. No more easy matches. Can you believe it is eight years since

she won here? Yeah, right? A long time ago. In a sense, the game has

changed a lot in those eight years. Serena is still the boss and

everyone is trying to knock a robber perch, but in terms of the strength

in depth, it has changed beyond all recognition. Yes, the players have

changed a lot. Eight years, it has been such a different level,

everything was different. Now it is more powerful, and pretty solid from

everyone. You can see a lot of good matches with the players who are not

in the top 20. They are pretty impressive and it is pretty hard.

How do you think the Radwanska of 2008 with Kevin on against the

Radwanska of 2016. I don't know, you tell me! How has your game changed?

Experience is a lot in tennis. That is helping, especially when you go

through all the tournaments. I think Radwanska from 2016 with beat the

2008 Radwanska. Well, there is the 2016 incarnation,

the number one seed. Sam, if you were to compare who

happened to be ranked 80 in the world when you were playing with the

person who was ranked 80 underworld at the moment with GC a massive

dislocation inability over that period? Personally, no. I think you

had very different types of players. I think a lot of the players play

similarly now. Things have changed a lot of the equipment and the strings

and that has allowed the players to head the ball so much harder. That

has been the big change from when I was playing. One day you could play

a serve and volley, the next date you could play against somebody who

had huge amounts of top-spin, many more sliced backhand is coming at

you. I think there was a lot more variety bent and the players had a

lot more shots. Now things are different. It is hard to compare the

two. I would like to disagree with Sam. My instinct is if I was

reporting at Wimbledon 30 years ago, which I was, the likelihood of the

woman's number 73 beating the number three seed was minimal, whereas an

equivalently now 30 years on, there is the possibility that that might

happen. That for me as one of the big changes. Yet, it is. There is

more depth than the woman's game, the woman are stronger. In terms of

the physical demands, everyone is up for the challenge. Sam is right, the

might not be as much variety now, but the power. Somebody ranked 80 in

the world now compared to 20 years ago is a much stronger player. In

ten years' time, that person ranked 80 will be better than what we have

today. There are some wonderful players out here, but that when I

was playing he had Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Monica

Seles, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Gabriela Sabatini, great players who

would win back to back Grand Slams. They would win the French Open, come

and win Wimbledon. I do think the very best 20 years ago was an

extraordinary... High-tech Serena Williams out of that, maybe Venus,

that they were an extraordinary generation. No one felt they could

be them. They were untouchable. I don't think there is that feeling in

the locker room now. Lower ranked players definitely feel that they

can beat everyone, maybe not Serena, but everyone else is fair game. And

that is testament to the depth in the woman's game. It is very

different to where's gamers were ye have your top five superstar is. But

you can't say there is an depth implement's game. It isn't credible.

It is, but it is different. It depends what you like. I enjoyed the

uncertainty and the fact that anything is possible on any given

week. One thing that is interesting, which is oblique to this, but is

very important. If you talk to the paymasters of the game, if you like,

where the main operatives in terms of corporate hospitality and

television, they desperately want the big names involved in the latter

stages of all the big events, from a TV audience point of view, from a

hospitality point of view, from an entertainment and sponsorship point

of view, they don't like that uncertainty because they want the

big names that the public has heard of taking part in the semifinals and

final. We might love that followed the big Ian Scott knocked out from

the men's semifinals at Wimbledon, but for the sport could be terrible.

I get that. People want to see the big names playing against each other

in the latter stages of the tournament. You can't keep everyone

happy, can you? But you need to pay the bills. Woman's tennis needs a

big sponsor, which doesn't have at the moment. This year has made a lot

of the sponsors wobble because you don't have your marquee names at the

latter stages of the draw. This tournament many years ago you could

have guaranteed that Martina Navratilova and Chris Abbott would

be in the final. Isn't the WTA at that of its own success? This is a

good debate! If it does rain we will come back to you. For the moment,

this is an intriguing match and it is for the right to play Monica Puig

in the first semifinal tomorrow. If you have just switched on, I hope

you have recovered from the floods yesterday.

Just to remind you, Jo Konta is coming up later on, playing

Ekaterina Makarova of Russia in the fourth quarter final. This is the

second. We will join our commentators.

Well, we do have marquee names here. Marquee names here. Marquee names

here. Grand Slam finalists. Dominika Cibulkova is currently ranked 21

underworld, but she was formerly in the top ten. -- in the world. It is

on getting us underway. -- it is Cibulkova getting us underway.

Both women and 27 years of age. Cibulkova just a few months younger

than her opponent this afternoon. Heels from BAFTA slaver in Slovakia.

Radwanska is from crack off in southern Poland. Bratislava is a

good place to ply your trade, wonderful National tennis Centre

there. APPLAUSE. They have played a couple

of times this year. Radwanska winning in Indian Wells in the fast

conditions and Finnair of California. Cibulkova played a

wonderful match in Madrid, also at altitude, in the clay. The last

couple of matches had gone the distance.

The first time they have played on the grass. You would imagine that

would favour Radwanska, but nowadays in the woman's tour we don't take

anything for granted. It is all or nothing when you watch

Cibulkova. She is a bundle of energy. A pocket rocket, as she is

known. I have got to admit, Cibulkova is

one of my favourite layers to watch. I love her energy, her intensity.

She has such an infectious personality.

APPLAUSE. Radwanska is having a long look at that. Hawk-Eye has been very

busy this week. Neither are sure, I don't think. Everyone is staring

hopefully have the screen, which doesn't seem to be moving. They do

have it. Here we go. Well, if the opening few moments are anything to

go by, we are in for a fabulous match. She is a wonderful character.

A superstar back in Slovakia. I'm sure the two Yorkshire terriers live

in the lap of luxury back home. What does she bring to the court that

could cause problems for Radwanska? She is relentless. She will come out

full of Philippines. She will chase down every single ball. She will

give everything a good crack. She might look very small type the, but

she is big and so many other ways. She takes the ball early on the

rise. It has been another super consistent

year for Agnieszka Radwanska. Number three in the world at number two.

She had a terrific run in Indian Wells, Joe Hart, a semifinal in

Melbourne but she lost to Serena Wiliams.

She looked less than happy with the first-round performance against

Mariana Duque-Marino, Mariana Duque-Marino stopped in the second

set with the Castro issue. She was very happy with how she played

against Eugenie Bouchard yesterday. That is a clever lob over the

backhand side. Cibulkova attempting one of the most awkward shots in

tennis to play here. APPLAUSE. So, both of them safely

aboard in this quarterfinal. A finalist here last year, Radwanska.

She had a great tune up for Wimbledon. It really kick-started

her 2015 season, which had been a little bit creepy before heading to

the grass. -- Trying to do what so many women

attempt on the tour, hit through and passed Radwanska. It is almost

mission impossible. -- past. She is already in trouble here on her

service game. Radwanska way too smart. She gets

the early break advantage. It is interesting hearing her chat earlier

in the studio with John about watching was like eight years ago

and she was the champion here. What do you remember our first seeing

her, on the tour? She had a brilliant career in the juniors,

winning at France and Wimbledon. I played her a couple of times during

the course of my career. It was a nightmare for me. In what respect?

You go out there and you think I can overpower her, I just need to stay

aggressive. The ball that comes back at you does not come back very fast.

She is very good at redirecting Pierce and absorbing it. She has the

ability to make you feel quite silly because she has every trick in the

book. She can mix it up with Pierce. She doesn't have a strong frame,

that is why she has been as creative as she has been on the tennis court.

She is a great attack patient, reads the game well. That is her biggest

strength. She sees it so much earlier than everyone else out

there. Just understanding of the game is in a different league to a

lot of other players. That is what makes her superb. You think you're

hitting into a space and July Cup and she is already there! Annoying!

Yes, Berry! -- very! She is the most fidgety person you

will ever meet, Cibulkova. You can't afford too many loose ones

against Radwanska. Just trying to find that right talents, though,

when you are against her. You need to play aggressively, and you have

got to accept that there will be a few mistakes.

That is just stunning! The control she has... Seemingly she has so much

time on the ball. She never looks too rushed. Very cool and calm in

her thought process. A bit more top on that server gets

the job done. -- serve. Just the start you would have wanted against

an opponent that has caused her quite a few problems in the past.

She has only managed to win two out of the last five meetings. They have

spent an awful lot of time over the years playing each other, haven't

they? Yes! And that doesn't even count the number of matches they

would have played against each other in the juniors.

Come on, she says. That is her trademark. She had a difficult

season last year, missed four months with an Achilles problem. She

decided to get it fixed because it was a long-standing injury. She did

dine to 70 or 80 in the world and she is just making her way back up.

Broke the world's top ten in March of 2014, just a couple of months

after making her first Grand Slam final dine in Australia. Everyone

fell in love with her dine there. Aussies July Cup try and she was

brilliant that fortnight. -- do you like a trier.

In the opening 20 minutes, if you just watched the points you would

think it was very close, but Radwanska on the verge of a double

break. Yes! The magician opening her box of

tricks. She takes a 4-1 lead in the first set. I guess the grass does

favour Radwanska. There is the Federation cup coach for Slovakia

for many years, also the coach of Dominika. I always think it looks

like Miller slapped me cheer, and you know who that is because we

spoke about this before you looked at me very blankly. The big. Yes,

Olympic champion, top player back in the day. He beat Jeremy Bates in the

first round. They have a very good relationship these two, they have

travelled together for a long time. Hazard a guess on what he may be

telling her? No need to panic at this stage. She is trying to do the

right things, just made a few mistakes which have cost her.

She has to hold her own on the baseline here. Not allow herself to

get pushed too far back behind it. Ideal start for Radwanska, 4-1,

double break in the first set. Oh yeah. Great response. That was a

great point from Cibulkova, getting Radwanska on the move, changing the

direction of play with each strike. Not allowing Radwanska to get into a

rhythm, that is key. Just the response you would expect

from Cibulkova, very close to her team there, chattering away. Her

boyfriend and her coach, has to be a little bit careful she doesn't get

pulled up for coaching. Family that is the big improvement, Radwanska.

The shoulder injury she had so many years really held her back. She was

always taped up. There is definitely more pop find that first serve, that

is for sure. It has always been accurate but a lot more pace but

hide it these days. It is useful. Outfoxing Radwanska which is never

easy to do. A chance to get one of the breaks back here.

Very much owed go to serve on that side, the one out wide. Is that a

new pattern? It is the serve she has always favoured on the ad side. She

has a better mindset on serve and it is not a shot to start the point. It

is a shot where she can set up the next ball for her now. Definitely a

more aggressive mindset- her. Her boyfriend sporting a healthy

beard. Fiance, they have been engaged for so long I had actually

forgotten. Yet to set a date though. Doing a really nice job of wielding

pressure here. That is what you have to get Radwanska doing, running to

that forehand wing. The defence from the backhand corner is so much

stronger really. Change-up. Three aces in this game

and five already for the match. These are not numbers we have been

used to. Often she looks skyward, a drop in temperature. Still like a

sauna in our commentary box, that never seems to change. OK, another

chance. This is big for Cibulkova. Never say die attitude, never mind

what the score is. Wonderful tennis. At last, Cibulkova

gets one of the breaks back. That is what it takes. She had to work hard

for that game. Can she keep it up? Cibulkova just concerned that it is

slippery. It boys makes me laugh when I see the umpire touching the

grass. I have asked my brother. He is a top umpire. He told me they

don't have stops on the issues, they should wear grass court shoes. They

are told to just touch it with the hand. They may need to review that

section of the umpiring module. It is Willie hard to see on your

pictures, but apparently it is spitting outside.

That balance you were talking about. A fine line. Chances for Radwanska

to have a double break once more. That was very close. Misra glanced

is challenging the call, it was called out. Oh, only just. She is

not a frivolous challenger, is she? Yellow macro no but she only has one

left. Picked up a title earlier this year

in Poland. Radwanska also a winner right at the start in January in

Shenzhen. There is her fiance. I am not sure about that though. Thank

you Mr director. I wonder if mum approves of that.

It is always a big connection with Dominika and her camp, on court or

off court, you see them hanging out. They are a happy camp. They are

tight. Even though she doesn't go and watch the football with them.

I knew amount of energy expended in those last two macro games. She is

making the scoreline look respectable and keeps the deficit to

just one break. She is rather special, isn't she? I we think

Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, they seem to produce a number of

players. Before Dominika there was Daniela Hantuchova, I wonder why

that part of the world, there seems to be a production line. They know

the tennis. I think in that part of the world, the club system is so

much better and the level of coaching is much better than we have

in the UK. It is just at a higher level. People love the tennis as

well. They support the juniors. But they do like the ice hockey. That is

true. A consistency of service as well, you play on clay courts. A few

hard courts indoors during the winter. Nothing particularly flash

but the players are very happy to go back and train there. I have been to

that National tennis Centre in Bratislava. There are a lot of

things I forget. As you said, there is nothing special but it is

functional. It has everything you need, good courts, good gym. Plenty

of courts I should add. Sounds like it had as a good vibe and

atmosphere, a good working environment. She does train in the

States in the off-season. She likes her sunshine, Dominika. New balls

after a really interesting opening few games here.

So frustrating for Radwanska's opponents. So quick to read the

play, sense the match and make a few adjustments.

Takes the first set to 5-3 with quiet authority. What we have seen

in this opening 40 minutes, it is tough to see Cibulkova dislodging

Radwanska in a meaningful way. Radwanska looks like she has so much

more time in comparison to Cibulkova. She is not happy either.

Nobody wants to injure themselves right before Wimbledon.

It doesn't take much to make a grass court feel slippery underfoot.

The thing is the court is good but the drops are a bit bigger, do you

just want to wait a little bit? I like that, that is good umpiring.

You have two macro unhappy players out there. Let us not take the

chance. A good decision for you? Yes. If both players are against

continuing then you don't really have a leg to stand on as an umpire.

Yukon force them to keep going out there.

It is frustrating. Such a good first set. And rain was forecast. Yes, we

have been lucky to have as much tennis as we have had. It has been

so few made. You feel like there is going to be a downpour, all of the

staff are out there preparing. It looks OK but it is heavy. I don't

think we would make it in the weather forecasting world. Just the

fact they are going to hold off for a while. And I am just hearing that

the covers are going on on Court Number One. But there is no further

play scheduled for today there. But these two macro so reliant on the

movement. Cibulkova with that Achilles operation last year, her

left Achilles. Whenever you have had an operation, you are even more wary

of your footing. Radwanska having to growth through Edgbaston, had to

play, dicey decisions. They were off and on the court always in

Birmingham. By comparison in is born, the wind has topped the last

couple of days which is fantastic. A lot of rain on Monday but they have

done well to get through the schedule on track just about. A few

players, Discover will have to play twice, as will Ekaterina Makarova.

STUDIO: The interesting thing here in terms of the priorities, number

one has to be player safety? COMMENTATOR: Yes. Particular after

what we saw at Roland Garros where it was questionable whether players

should have been an court. I thought that was good umpiring. You had two

macro unhappy players, it only takes a skid and then you are out for

Wimbledon. You have some very experienced people on the tour. I

don't want to say how many years but it feels like forever. Even before

you were on tour. Yes, that long. You have to be careful. It only

takes a few drops and it skids around the outside of the court,

that is the problem. Here is a question. This tournament. Just

looking here, $776,000 is the prize pool here. Three quarters of a

million. US dollars, that is a lot of money. And heaven knows how much

is taken as far as gate receipts are concerned. But tournaments of a

certain stature, why is there not a great tarpaulin that can be whinged

across from one side to the other to make sure this doesn't happen, that

we don't get breaks in play like this. You are talking about a roof

being put on? There is the roof, and then there are covers. Think of

Queen's Club last week, the ticket prices are substantially more than

here. The value in terms of big names playing the sport and the

damage is done as happened at Queen's done last year that macro

last week. Surely there must be some means -- there must be some means

but if it is like this where it is just a little bit water in the air.

There must be some contraption that would not cost much that you could

automatically stick across on occasions like this. I'd then think

there is a halfway house. The court is going to drive very fast.

Drainage. A halfway house between a roof and a tarpaulin cover, the

problem is the sweating. Courts sweat. Yes. That is one of the

reasons they are not putting the cover on immediately. It needs the

air to dry, the grass needs the sunlight. What they did at edge is

done last week which they are not doing here. Some of the staff were

running across with these things, like a piece of rubber. You have

brought your hairdryer specifically for that purpose. It is an

improvement to what they used to do. They put sawdust on. Did you not

play that? They did that at Birmingham. Talking about

Birmingham, they have big balloon to put over the cricket ground. But not

quite the same thing obviously because it is a confined area. It is

about the margins of the court as well. The tramlines and the edges

tend to be the more lush areas. Really where there has not been a

lot of play is in the forecourt, it is more tricky. I think we missed

the engineering module at school. We are floundering here rather. That is

why it took so long to put the Centre Court roof on at Wimbledon.

It is not just the structure but the air conditioning and what they have

to do. The big issue was not allowing the court to sweat. They

could get the structure over but it was the technology and the airflow

they had to sort out and it took so many years. When they got that, they

were able to put the roof on. I was talking to a journalist yesterday

who has been on the circuit for decades. He was talking about the

roof at Haller. When it first opened or didn't open in 1994 and it didn't

meet in the middle. And then it rained so there was this one strip

of the court that was wet. Genuinely, they had half a dozen

guys out there with hairdryers drying the one area that was about

two feet wide. Fantastic. I know in Haller, when they first got a roof,

I know they had problems with the court sweating. That was an issue.

Without any expensive contraption, they are back on the court due to

drainage. That was only five or six minutes I would think so we just get

on with it. Radwanska not entirely happy. This goes back to one of the

issues we have been talking about. The footwear that the umpires and

referee are wearing is not the same as the players. They have pimples

on. The umpires are told to feel the grass with their hands to gauge how

slippery it is. Using that method as opposed to trying to slide on it.

What you need is what they had that it was the last week, the long

strips of rubber to take off the top surface of moisture. That is the

key. It's interesting, when the players

act as one, and these two, Cibulkova and Radwanska, they know each other

well from juniors, they were quite happy to have a conversation. It is

different if players don't know each other, but they both know that if

they both hold their ground here, they can wait until they are happy

with the court. Yes. Wimbledon has got to be in the back of their minds

as well. In the front of their minds! And Radwanska, I am sure she

feels it is her year. Wimbledon is the best chance of winning a Grand

Slam, I think. And she won't take any unnecessary risks before. Tonkin

Lock might be fighting a losing rattle -- Tom Kinlock. One thing I

don't understand, we are outdoors here in our presentation position

and we have people having picnics just beneath our balcony. They

haven't moved in the last 15 minutes. I am not sure a raindrop

has fallen so I don't understand why the conditions on court are more

difficult now than they were when they were happily playing a quarter

of an hour ago. I had a note passed to me to say that it was spitting. I

know it is incredibly humid and may the court is picking up that

moisture. I don't think Radwanska and Cibulkova are causing a fuss for

superfluous reasons. Well, this is a kind of ridiculous

stand-off. As you say, this is a player power at its most obvious

because if they won't play, there is no game. There is a slow handclap

behind Radwanska who has put a towel on her shoulders which is kind of an

indication, I may be heading for the locker room at some point. Radwanska

on court has a real poker face and I'm sure she would be a very good

poker player. If she sets her mind to something she will be very tough

to budge. A news update, they have announced they are going to swoosh

the court. That is what they do on the golf greens and they have a

swoosher at Wimbledon. It looks like we are have an announcement. Ladies

and gentlemen, we are going to swish the court. We are trying to get the

tops of moisture off the court and then play will resume. A couple of

minutes and we should be ready to go. I think we need to know what the

official swisher looks like. I wonder who it is sponsored by! I

wonder how swish it looks! Here we go. There is ironic applause for the

swisher. That is really modern. Are they hoping to catch some salmon?

People are now laughing! That is taking off the top surface of

moisture which is what we were talking about. It is like a long

fishing rod with a thing on the end that swishes so now you know. How

long have these been around for? Centuries! And the other great word

in the language is the Zamboni which is the thing that sweeps the ice on

ice hockey rinks. What a fantastic word that is! They have the Zamboni

machine at the US Open to actually dry the courts. There is this

strange juxtaposition because you have the Zamboni machine which has

quite a lot of technology and then you have an army of kids with towels

draining the lines. One of the most famous images in sport was the Rugby

World Cup semifinal in 1995 in Durban with South Africa playing

France and a monsoon before kick-off. Suddenly, endless people

with mops came on the pitch to try to drain it. In the high-tech world

we live in, it was a throwback to Dickensian times. Quickly while we

are doing this, or are they going to start playing? I was going to change

tell you about a change in the seedings at Wimbledon but if they

are going to hit a ball, we will save it for later. We have injury

time breaks, bathroom breaks and now an official swoosh break but we will

resume with Cibulkova serving to remain in this set at 3-5.

Play resuming about a quarter of an hour as they held at the side of the

court under the brollies and they both seem happy to get out and play

now. This set has really been a labour of

love for Cibulkova. Very quickly went down a couple of breaks, 4-1 in

fact, and then got one of them back. You just feel she has always been

playing catch up. Radwanska pulling on the reins.

At last something has gone her way. And it is Cibulkova who comes off

that 15 minute break in much better form but it will be Radwanska who

will serve for this first set. And that break was really strange, I'm

not sure I'd seen that before where the players completely held their

ground and the tournament had to do something. And they did, they got

the swishers out and it seemed to work. Player power at its best. But

it's just not worth the risk, right before Wimbledon. I do think that

Radwanska had quite a difficult experience at Roland Garros where

she was one of the players who had to play on that day when they played

for just two hours and they played in like a rainstorm. She had a fair

point. And she was bleeding before the rain and ended up losing that

match and was furious about the conditions, as was Simona Halep --

she was leading. I am sure there have been a lot of discussion in the

locker room between the players after what happened in Paris.

She would have imagined at 4-1 with a double break that the set would

have been done and dusted now but they have been on court just over an

hour with that delay as well. But now she gets to serve for this

opening set. She really has worked her way

through and thought out this opening set and it -- and is rewarded here

with three chances to close it out. And, in the end, it is Radwanska who

wraps up a rather indefensible opening set, 6-4. She will obviously

be seeded at Wimbledon but, as we look at the top 16 seeds come you

will notice a significant change at the bottom because the number six

seed was Victoria Azarenka but she pulled out with injury earlier this

morning which means that Johanna Konta now becomes the 16th seed

which might have a material impact on whether she gets into the second

week of the championship and perhaps upgrades her. It is like she has

gone from Premier economy to business class. She goes to the posh

dressing room as a consequence of being in the top 16 seed starting on

Monday, but you know it is starting on Monday.

And we were talking about the swoosh machine and if you have an idle

moment today and want to pass away a minute or two, I warmly recommend

you Google the Zamboni machine because the history of it, not

surprisingly it is the invention of eight Mr Zamboni, but it is

absolutely fascinating, how he came up with the idea of an ice resurface

just after the Second World War. Anyway, back to the tennis. Sam.

Right, Cibulkova has plenty of work to do here. She played well in the

first set but she needs to up her game to have any chance in the

second. We talked a lot about balance and

holding that ground between being aggressive and not making too many

errors. It is not working for, is it? Not at the moment but there is

still a long way to go in this match.

Cibulkova doing her absolute best to force something out here. Just got a

little unlucky. And real appreciation from these Centre Court

fans, realising what a performance Radwanska is putting in and once

again the Pole gets the last word. Time violation warning, Miss

Cibulkova. You are only allowed 20 seconds between points.

Simply too good from the former champion. And she is leading now buy

a set and a break. -- by one said. That first set was tight but

Radwanska was always going to win it. Watching her mood around the

court, she looks so comfortable -- move around. The serving has been

impressive from Radwanska with five aces, three in one game. And she has

given very little away. It has been so accurate from

Radwanska on serve. She has really hit her spots well, mixed it up

perfectly. OK, can she really make something

happen here? She's not just going to give it to Radwanska, she is going

to make her work for this. And Radwanska is so tough on herself.

Oh yes! Incredible! Where did that come from? APPLAUSE

That was just instinctive. Cibulkova read the play perfectly and just a

flick of the wrist. And maybe that moment of inspiration is just what

is required, a chance to get the break back. There is that go to

serve. That is seven aces now for Aga.

APPLAUSE Fantastic tennis!

How can you not be entertained by the tennis these two are producing?

We have seen a bit of everything. Oh! She has made it! Radwanska's

turned to come up with a stunning passing shot. -- turn.

About 15 minutes ago we had that quite lengthy break to let the court

dry off and since the resumption of the match went a bit flat but right

now it is sparking up. So, a third chance to break in this

game. Second serve return, you can't

afford to miss those. There is another ace. She is getting

up to that serve so well. Three aces already in this game, just as she

did back in the first set. That is some hold, fending off those

three break points. And Radwanska tightened her grip on this

quarterfinal and I'm not surprised she is unhappy. I can certainly see

a few spots of rain outside the window of the commentary box. It is

significantly darker out here. We feel every temperature change in

here and it's just feels like there is going to be a deluge at any

moment. Having looked at the forecasts this morning, I think they

have done a good job to get as much tennis as they have here today in

Eastbourne. Yes, a few brollies are starting to go up. Such a shame,

this match had just got going again. It is swoosh time but I'm not sure

this is going to do the trick. Have you not seen these on the greens at

the golf courses? And at Wimbledon they have them. I am not a golfer! I

gave it a go and it wasn't for me. You don't have the right

temperament? It takes too long to get round the golf course! These are

OK at the moment but if we have any significant rain I am afraid the

covers will have to go on just to keep the court dry. It is a shame.

What have you made of the match so far? It has been thoroughly

enjoyable to watch. I said at the start, Sybil Kerber is one of my

favourite players to watch because she brings so much energy on to the

court and I love her enthusiasm and determination -- Cibulkova. The

contrast in styles between them makes it a fun match. JOHN

INVERDALE: I have seen these on golf greens but I didn't know what they

were called but now we know. I have googled them and they are not

officially called swishers but anyway. This is frustrating for all

concerned, not least the players who are meant to come on next. Johanna

Konta is waiting somewhere, she could be watching at home actually,

sitting there with her feet up on the sofa saying, I'm not due on for

a bit. But she is expected to be here at some point in the not too

distant future to play Ekaterina Makarova of Russia who won her match

against Andrea Petkovic of Germany earlier on. This might be an

opportune moment to show you something, earlier today between

Kristina Mladenovic and Monica Puig. This was a really high quality maps,

we have had so many at Eastbourne this week. More than I think we can

remember for a few years. This was Puig on match point, the player from

Puerto Rico. It and performance from her daughter she was a qualifier

coming into this tournament. She has won six games in a row and shows a

good little and then beat a good big one. This is what the draw currently

looks like. Obviously several matches on court and still some more

to get underway. As things stand, she is the only person through to

the semifinals of the Championships so far. She will play the winner of

this match between Radwanska and Cibulkova. As and when that match

continues and finishes. And at the bottom of the draw we have Pliskova,

who beat of Japan. Vesnina beat Heather Watson in the first round, I

am not sure if that will make her feel better but if Vesnina goes to

the final, that might be some sort of consolation that she lost to

someone who went a long way in the draw but Pliskova against Vesnina is

there is the third quarter final to be played today and then Johanna

Konta against Makarova at the bottom end.

As we just wait, I think that are taking the neck down. So the great

thing, is that when you are preparing to go on court, I think we

will roughly be on at one o'clock. You do your nutrition and you're

drinking and warmer in accordance with that, and when you have breaks

like this which are not apparent breaks, it is not like we are off

for hours, this could be five minutes or an hour and half, it is

difficult to know when to take food on board, when not to or where to

go, where to sit. Do I start a new book? All of these little things

that make up the jigsaw of being an international sports car. I think

tennis players become good grazers when it comes to their food. You

want anything too heavy, before going on court. But there is always

a bit of hanging around at tournaments, whether there is bad

whether or not. What kind of book you need to read, whether it is

playing on your iPad, I think tennis players are very good at just

keeping themselves to themselves, and staying in their own little

bubble, because you have to do it so often. What you don't want is

players Napoli, players sometimes are quite rigid with their routine.

Someone like Novak, who is so obsessed with everything being in

its place in the hour or so preceding his match. That is all

very well, but you have to know where the hour is going to be. You

have to build in some Flex ability, and particularly the juniors, they

are so we'll drilled about what they should do before and after, and so,

that is good, you need some structure and you need all of those

professional things, but sometimes, you need to put your feet up and

say, whatever happens happens, and you only really get that from

experience. I would say that boast an scare and Cibulkova will be

pretty good at just chilling out right now.

More is aimed at some more out. I think it's going to be 20 minutes or

so. It does give us a chance to go back, and we are going to see

Johanna Konta a little bit later, but the match she played yester

against Petra Kvitova was absolutely terrific. She was just about to

serve the first set. She had served for the first set, but Kvitova had

broken back. How would the British and one cope?

Great return on their front. So good to get to the front of the court.

Any time to get away from contact. -- Konta.

That is a supercharged petrol at the moment. Once again, more break

points for the former finalist here. How quickly things can change in

just ten minutes. Committed the levels up in this first set. What

have we just seen happening? She has always been a threat of her return,

Kvitova. In all of Konta's service games. There was never really any

room to relax and take a foot off the gas.

A few big strikes, and that is enough at this level to really

change things around. She is sitting her spots a lot

better now in the service games. And that is four games in a row for

Kvitova. I don't kid is going to be third time lucky this challenge. --

I don't think it is going to be. The court is confirmed. It is four

games in a row, and I am not surprised that Jo has called in the

coach. You have to accept the challenge.

Accept it. Just play it. Just face the challenge, OK? For this game.

Between Serbs, OK? That is good. You need to win points. When you are

serving to her forehand, now she is more ready for that. If you serve to

her backhand, you know where it is coming. I am. She hit it the

opposite side. I am talking about percentage, one game in particular.

The main thing is not to resist, don't create assistance. Accept that

challenge. She is playing well again. Accept the challenge. The

winner is so small, it is frustrating. You are going to have

Windows, keep creating Windows. It feels like... That is not what we

see from outside. You are playing well. Accept the challenge. Come on,

you can do it. Good words from Mr Ban, her coach. -- Esteban.

He was able to accept Konta's call. Serving to stay in this set.

She is feeling the she has to press a little harder.

No, not the right choice of shot there. How quickly things can change

in 20 minutes. She had a set point. That was at 5-2. Great fightback

from Kvitova. Two chances for the cheque to close out the first set.

-- the cheque woman. She has hung on so well in this set,

in all the first service games. She has been under so much pressure. Can

she fend off another set point here? If she has got it wrong, we will be

back at Jews. If she is right, it will be a second serve for Konta. A

lot riding on this Hawk-Eye. And right, for once! So it is a second

serve. Huge pressure on the British number one.

And that looked long. So many challenges flying around all over

the place here. All eyes on the screen. That is

absolutely fine. And it is Kvitova with the run of the last five games,

who takes the opening set. Seven games to five.

Much tougher opposition, with Kvitova really in the mood. The

court has gone rather quiet. She was on the previous backhand,

Kvitova. Radwanska- like. A little bit further to go down! This is a

real arm wrestle, trying to push each other of their baselines.

We spoke about Konta's serve being tough to read. Kvitova's is equally

difficult. That is six games in a row. Twitter

in charge of this match. The winner will play the victor of the next

match between Petrovic and Makarova. We have had another date where so

many seeds have fallen. The good news is that Radwanska is still

intact. To unseeded players, Mladenovic and Monica Puig, that

will be sorted out late on this evening.

This is such a huge game for Konta. You just feel for her own stake,

that she's getting back into this matter.

And there is nothing that she can do about that. Too good for Kvitova.

It is important for Konta to draw on the crowd's energy, to help lift her

emotions out here. Huge point for the British number one, she has to

find a way to hang on. APPLAUSE An emphatic way to end the

run of games. She can switch the momentum back away. She was leading

5-2, double break in the first step. -- first set.

I am not sure about this one. This is a bad one.

These two are playing so close to the lines, every call almost needs

to be challenged! A smart return for Konnor to use

there, that hard-won through the middle. -- Konta.

Don't give her the angles to play with.

The last 30 minutes, Kvitova has played such a high level. She is

just having a little dip now. Can Konta take advantage?

I don't think this is going to be a successful challenge.

This is a rained down in this match. Anyone who was writing her off for

Wimbledon might want to rethink that prognosis.

Anything short in the middle of the court, you know that Kvitova is

going to be all over it. Kvitova regroups. She might be

having a wobble there, but she takes back control of this match. Although

most of the stands here, apart from the West End, based in sunshine, it

is a lovely, warm afternoon. It is pretty humid, and that is the

environment that doesn't really suit Petra Kvitova. She is an asthma

sufferer. She travels with spray. It is humid, but in comparison to the

humidity you get in the Far East or out in the States where a lot of the

tournament are across the summer, it is still manageable. She has not

gone for the little spray thing yet. She doesn't like those tournament in

Cincinnati, she can hardly breathe air. For everyone else, we have had

so much rain over the last few weeks, it is lovely to have a

T-shirt on and get Osama get out. Not having to keep reaching to the

summer. It is a packed house on this Centre

Court. I think this is the moment where they are very polite and very

respectful, but I would like them to be a little bit less respectful.

Just give Jo a little bit of a booth -- boost. We are on serve in the

second set. It is predictable, but it has worked

well, and she has got it right. This match having a slightly

different feel now. Come-to-macro recovering from losing those six

games in a row, from 5-2 up, double break in that first set. Taking her

little time to regroup, which is understandable. This match still

being played at a high level. Been out there and our and a quarter,

feels like plenty more tennis left in this.

Kvitova is such a streaky player, you never know when you have your

window opportunity. Important for Konta to stay out here, not give

anything away. Pay a few years ago Kvitova was the

queen of playing 3-set matches, playing more of them than anyone on

tour. It became bit of a joke, something on social media. It was an

extraordinary record, they used to call her Petra three.

In full flight, she was awesome. They replaced the second letter of

her name with a three. She can be up and down the knows that. Her style

of tennis, all-out aggression, no holding back.

Superb tennis from Konta, doing a great job holding their ground on

that baseline. Not backing up. That takes such strong core strength, to

stay through a shot like that. First break point of the second set

going to the British number one. A little drift we can see from

Connecticut. In terms of her intensity. -- from give

Setup play from Konta, hitting the front with the early break in the

second set. Isn't it funny somehow how patterns

insets follow each other. Exactly the same time, the fifth game when

she broke in the opening set, backing it up with another break.

Her third sat behind Jo. Mum, Gabriella, she gets too nervous to

watch. She was here watching Jo practice earlier today. For her

match yesterday she went back home, in and out of the living room

watching on TV, watching the score. She does not like to watch Jo's

matches live. She gets too nervous. Understandable.

Parents have given up a lot, to give Jo the best opportunities possible.

We spoke so much about how she moved to this country is a 14-year-old.

Settling in east London. In the Docklands, initially. Before moving

to Eastbourne. They like the coast. When you have had a house on

Sydney's northern beaches, tough to trade that for a beach city.

I wonder how long Petra Kvitova will go walkabout? Talking about

intensity of the top players. Jo has that in spades.

It did look wide. Putting the disappointment behind her. Realising

we may be heading into a decider here. Terrific work from Konta.

Putting herself in a great position in the second set. Kvitova must be

wondering where this went awry. This convincing hold. Just what was

required. Kvitova keeping it to one break.

What has Konta done well in the second set, keeping her in it,

because I thought it may slip away? She has kept ahead, not got too

despondent spite having that double break in the first set. Able to

weather the storm, staying where Petra Kliba to go there. It pays

off. You know you will be able to get windows of opportunity against

Kvitova, because she can blow hot and cold. Important to take your

opportunities when they are there. I wonder if she and Esteban talked

about that, talking about times where there will be times where she

will write you off the court, but there is other times, where Esteban,

the man in the black top, the only man not hot here. He coaches out of

Northwest Spain Gijon. Not keen to travel. That is why she has a number

of coaches can be sharing duties. Jose Manuel Garcia does some

coaching when he's not around. It is working a treat.

Up just the one break in the second set.

It has been so impressive how she has stood up to Kvitova, holding the

baseline, absorbing this enormous pace, this cannonball coming at her.

The thing about Konta, she has been able to hold her ground, she has the

strength to do so against Kvitova. Quite often Kvitova able to

overpower opponents. Not to date, against consummate. Not able to hit

her off. Amazing how many returns have been

directed from both players deep through the middle of the court.

Tremendous hold. The Centre Court crowd woken up to the fact Konta is

doing brilliantly in this second set. Looks like she might force the

decider. Kvitova after taking the first,

serving to stay in the second. . She will not doubt itself, from

all her understated charm, she backs itself a tennis player. Some way to

keep yourself in this second set. It will be Konta serving for it, just

as she did a couple of times in the first.

There is Kvitova's new coach, good doubles player in his time. They

seem to get on very well. She would have a great relationship

with her previous coach. She was with him for eight or nine years

like a little chat over a cup of coffee. She would seems very relaxed

in his on court pep talks. I don't know how much coaching he has done

away from the women's tour. This is his first on this tool. -- tour.

It must seem strange, a coach she worked with for seven years, I never

thought that partnership within. Can she do what she could not do in the

first set? Serving it out. Let's see what she does here.

Great offence from Konta. All of those strikes from Kvitova seemed

inches from the baseline. Locking down a few bundles. First point

safely negotiated. A little pressure off Konta.

I don't think this was a bad drop shot from Konta. Very quick from

Kvitova. A quick first step, getting into her stride quickly. I wonder if

Konta showed Davis level too much. -- showed a little too much.

Forehand played with plenty of conviction from Konta.

She has been said dogged and stubborn in this second set. She had

a chance to close out the first set, can she do it in the second?

Not yet. Living every second of this.

She has hit a number of double faults, maybe too many. All very

aggressive second serves. Still has a set point in her pocket here.

This chest left it up on the backhand. Are we going to see what

we saw in the first set? Set point for Konta. Not able to convert in

the first set. Two coming and going in this second.

OK, Jo. Day three process, take your time can pick your spot is. -- go

through your process. What a competitor she is. Konta

levels up to take this match into a deciding set.

STUDIO: On a glorious summer's evening, sadly, today it is a grey

afternoon. It is raining and then not raining. You feel logically we

should be playing, but we are not. We are just sitting here rather plus

-- prostrated. As and when the the current match continues, when that

finishes, Jo Konta will be on against Makarova. When they played

last year, Konta was 138 places below Makarova. Now, Makarova is 21

places below Konta. You will be able to see that at some point either on

BBC Two on the red button. Let's go back to the game yesterday.

COMMENTATOR: Strong start from Konta. Once again, doing a great job

holding her ground. How does Kvitova regroup? It was one

loose game, she played. There was not an awful lot she did wrong. One

break of serve. Good tennis from Konta. Just one

break of serve. It might be enough, you never know.

She's made it! And what a start to this deciding set from Britain's

number one. As cool as you like. She breaks Kvitova the fourth time this

match. And what a brilliant job she has done. Just wiping away the first

set where she led 5-2, the set point. This is quite something from

Konta, and she is so tough mentally. And also, that was a long Bath brew

-- bathroom break from Kvitova, but she did not allow it to bother her.

Just made it! So often, we see Konta play into the spaces. This time

round, looking to go back behind Kvitova. Boy, oh boy, looking at

play closest to the lines. It hit the back edge of the line every

time. They have both been challenged happy

in this match. On a number of occasions they have been right.

She seemed pretty short about this one. From the ankle she was looking

at, it would have seemed that it was long. She can't believe it.

Absorbing the power from Kvitova. Getting download here. Straight

through the ball. Well, there have been times when he

has been ever pressing in this match. Under so much pressure from

the power of Kvitova. Now the shoe is on the other foot.

I don't know what you think, but Kvitova looks a little tired. I

don't know whether it is physical or mental, but she has lost a number of

3-set matches today. She has not won an awful lot of

matches. She does not play a eight lot of matches.

I think this is showing. You get match tough, you get an match

stamina. We spent all the time in the gym, going round the running

track. But you need plenty of flying hours in these kinds of situations.

Another brilliant return from Konta. That was like one from the first

set. What a start this could be to this decider.

Still a chance here for a double break.

Yes! Inspirational from Konta! She read it perfectly, right there.

Pressure piling up on Petra. A chance for Konta to break here.

And it just drifts wide. Can you believe it?! What a comeback. She is

forging ahead in this final set. 3-0, double break.

I can't remember seeing a match for a while but has has had such big

momentum swings. Credit to Konta for staying cool and calm when things

did not go her way in that opening set. She did not back off.

She put a lot of trust in her ability out there.

I thought the coach was so measured and positive and precise. He used

the word warrior, in terms of seeing it out. It has been a Warriors

performance. This match itself worth the price of

admission. What a wonderful day they have had on Centre Court here at

Devonshire Park. Lots of action going on on the other courts, but

they will be quite happy... I would be happy sitting on beside myself!

Challenges from both of them combined. I don't think she looks

totally convinced. It is the one under commentary box. It is just the

angle that they are looking at the ball. Looking from behind, you will

see it is out. I'm just wondering if she sought

Kvitova move out of the corner of her eye there.

30-30 in this game. Even though she is up a double break, this still

feels like a huge point for the British number one.

The former finalist just frustrated that she has not been able to hit

through Konta. What a way to close out the game!

And how quickly she has gone into a 4-0 lead in this final set.

Agent and outlook on. -- dad look on.

Physically, it looks like Konta has more energy, she looks the stronger

of the tee. Suddenly, could victory over -- Kvitova not looking as good.

This is a match that has gone into its third hour.

That Chris Long as well. -- that drifts long. I don't think of it can

quite believe what is going on. Smart returning from Konta. She

mixed it up perfectly. This final set has been so impressive.

That might have just clipped. Konta rather keen to get the change of

ends. So many challenges in this match, I

have lost count. As it clipped? No, it hasn't! Konta is hurtling towards

the quarterfinals. It is an extraordinary run of games. And it

looks like there is no way back to the two times Wimbledon champion.

You have hit with her, you know her so well. What have you seen over the

last half-hour? I don't think the level from Konta not yet from the

first set in set. It has not been as drastic as we have seen from

Kvitova. Kvitova, her energy levels have not been the same in this final

set. As soon as Konta was able to break in the first game, it has all

been one way traffic. She has just been able to sustain her levels so

much better than Kvitova out here. She looks comfortable, she is

reading the play much better. Kvitova just looking more flat.

Flat-footed. And we have seen this a lot. It has been her worst start to

a season in a very long time. She is now ranked outside the world's top

ten. The energy levels, when it has gone the distance, have been

questionable. Kvitova sits there wondering how on earth she is in

this predicament. Konta will not be worrying about that. How well she

has put the disappointment of losing the first set behind her. Here she

is, serving for the place in the last eight.

He has delighted the Centre Court crowd. That point.

What a way to finish! Konta is back in the quarters at Devonshire Park.

STUDIO: She was an irrepressible form.

It took barely 20 minutes, but afterwards, she wasn't getting too

carried away. I worked very hard to be able to maintain the level, it is

always a constant challenge, and ability to adapt and keep rolling

with the punches. I think most of us -- both of us played our part, and

not so much in others. She was able -- I was able to string together the

point. I felt like I played good tennis out there. She came strong in

the second and third one, where she was returning very well. It was

really difficult, but I am happy how I played. I am happy with the level

that I brought today, although she has dropped out of the top ten, she

has been a top five players for -- player for years on end. That is the

level that she plays out, and that is the sort of player that she is.

She's an incredible champion, and I was honoured to be competing in such

a good match with her. It is not easy any time. It is difficult for

us, but I am doing it how I can. It is about the tennis and about the

hard work, and I am happy that I am healthy, that is important, and

practice and play. Of course, the results are not great as I wish, but

I hope everything will turn out well. It may look quite nice in

Eastbourne at the moment, it is not. That's quite there is slightly

unrepresentative of what the weather is like. That are the seedings. Jo

Konta is up to 16. And Sam been given the time off for good

behaviour. So they are sitting here in our little presentation box to

reflect on Jo Konta, who is not allowing her self to get caught up

in any hullabaloo. There was no sense of over celebrating that win

last night. She has got some expectations of her own. She can

live with these top players. There is a hard underbelly of belief that

she has, and you almost felt that as soon as that match was over, a

little jig, and then straight back to the next one with a view on

winning this title. To lose six games in a row, and then suddenly

just regrouped and played like she did, that is the sign of someone who

is really confident. Confident, but mentally tougher. She did not do too

much wrong. The most important thing is staying on an even keel. She does

not get too high or too low, and it paid off for her. I so wanted her to

win Wimbledon, and she says it is all about the process. You feel that

it would be. If she wins or loses the process very matter in the first

round, she is still grounded. You focus on every point and do these

things, to say it, but to do it, there is a lot of background work

that goes on with the sports psychologist, and then pay the work

that she is doing to maintain this process. To do what she is trying to

achieve their mentally, that is something really special. One thing

that she has understood, maybe -- dickie through the work of the

psychologist is that top-level tennis is so mental, and that is why

she is beating top players now. I mentioned it on it yesterday, and

interesting article about Jo's background. When she has had the rug

pulled out of her, when you get a setback, you can just throw the

towel in. But she clearly has got a huge inner steel, and she was

determined that whatever setbacks, she was going to fight back against

them. That was not an easy life for Jo away from her parents. They were

down here, and just ain't here. It is not glamorous at the National

tennis Centre. When you live there and stay there, it is pretty

austere, and there must've been some really low times there. I would've

been desperate they would been, but she realises that, and credit to her

for everything that she sacrificed. There were stints out at the Academy

in Spain. Also in the States, in Texas, she spent some time training

out there, going back and forth between there and the UK where her

parents were. She has put a lot of time in. This has been a long time

coming, and say she is trying to soak it all in, appreciating what

she has, because when she has worked so hard and given so little, --

taken so little. Some people could go completely overboard on it. Tell

us why she is such a hard prospect now for people to beat. We have some

examples from the match yesterday. Tactically very astute. I thought

she did everything right against Kvitova. Her movement around the

court so much stronger. The forehand holds up so much more under

pressure. She does not look overwhelmed. Looks like she can hold

her ground at the back of the court. There have been some huge

improvements in such a short space of time. Really good athlete. That

ball is one of the heaviest Bulstrode that can be coming at you.

She held her ground and offended so well, a skill she had from the

juniors. She was not a big strong girl at 15 or 16. Getting excited

about her being 16th seed at Wimbledon. Potential top-10 player?

Absolutely. I would be the first to admit, over the past 12 months, I

would've thought about talking about Johanna Konta as a top-10 player.

She has the physique to step up against the top players. She has the

serve and the forehand is so much stronger. She's tactically smarter,

does not fret. She could win this? 12 months ago we would never

entertain the possibility. We don't get ahead of ourselves. Also the

right time to be making these kind of breakthroughs. There are so few

seeds surviving day one or day two. Through the entire year, so many of

the big names have been so inconsistent. All the players at her

level or little above or below, thinking every time they play a

tournament, whether a grand slam or not, we can win it. One of the

fallouts of Victoria Azarenka not being at Wimbledon, means Germanic

Two years after testing positive for a banned drug. I failed the tests, I

take full responsibility for it. Wimbledon champion at 17, is this

the end for one of the most glamorous and successful players of

their generation? Her offence taking a drug which had been legal, at the

start of the yep put on the banned list. She is appealing the decision.

In the professional locker room is a tennis, a major topic of debate. Not

too much sympathy for Maria Sharapova. If you cheat you should

pay, if you did something wrong. I am not cheating, trying something

else. For me, extra hard. With my body, everything, you have to give

something extra. This was not nice. I am not the judge, obviously. It is

what it is. You break the rules. Not that surprised. We're talking about

it a lot, especially when you are sick. You cannot take anything,

always something in it you cannot take. Myself I am checking 100

times, and might even my doctors, the physio, checking, just to take

things that I can only take. So careful. Everybody should do the

same thing. I wish we had a microphone at breakfast, we had in

interesting conversation, six of us, the whole issue of drugs in sport.

One of the key points, the public watching sport, believing what they

are seeing. Not feeling anyone has the advantage over anyone else?

There are some sports many of us look at, we don't believe we seeing.

I don't want that to happen to tennis. We're not there yet. This is

a big shock, there is collateral damage, bringing cheating and tennis

into the conversation. One of the star names having the situation

which been avoided. Not that cut and dry what happened. We have

conversations about it, not good about the sport, not talking about

the tennis and the wonderful players out there. Just overhearing the

announcement, we are expecting heavy showers at Eastbourne, in the next

few minutes. Definitely no play before 6:15pm and maybe no play

today. If there is not, we will have the matches of the red button.

Definitely no more play for the next hour and a quarter. When you heard

the announcement, where you amazed, gobsmacked? I was shocked. In the

build-up to the press conference I thought she would announce their

retirement. Never did across my mind she had failed a drugs test, and she

was going to admit making a mistake. She has made a huge mistake. It is

sad, whichever way you look at it. Terrible mistake for the sport, sad

for the game. Really important for the game's authorities to take a

stand. She has made a mistake. You look at the background to it, a time

when she was on 30 pills a day. Why she did not declare things on the

forms. The more you look into it, scratching your head, thinking why?

Perhaps you think it was not a mistake? That is for each other rain

to come to a decision. I know what it was like when I was drug tested,

writing every single thing I had taken down. As an athlete USAID

careful about what you put in your mouth. People in your chair, telling

you what you should be taking, should not be taking. What is legal,

what is not. Cannot take anything over-the-counter. Cannot understand

how blase she has been. Mind-boggling. How much impact will

this have on the players in the locker room? The younger players,

sending a real warning shot over the bowels. I would say so. -- over the

bows. They will not take a new sports bar, energy drink, they will

not take anything. It is not a fun existence, protecting yourself from

inadvertent contamination. The juniors will have taken note,

hopefully a warning, that is why the ban was for two years, quite a

long-time. I'm sure we will discuss that again over the next two years.

No play until 6:15pm at the earliest. The storm last night

binning the courts were drenched. In a way like to get any play at all.

One match two-day game to a conclusion, the quarterfinals. The

game between Monica Pug from Porto Rico. Someone enormously proud of

her country. As she told us was that when I started playing tennis, a lot

of people asking me where Federico was on the map. Confusing it with

Portugal or Paraguay. -- Puerto Rico. People know where it is, proud

I've given a name for my island on this level of sport. When you go

back, do they claim you? They take a lot of pride in their athletes. Also

very proud of all our accomplishments. Smaller or large. I

always feel quite at home when I get back. A huge amount of respect for

the people of Porto Rico. Do you always have dual nationality,

growing up in the US? It is a US currency Bell territory. I consider

myself 100% per Taricco. -- Puerto Rican. You need to be fluent in

Spanish. My couch and fitness trainer are

from Argentina. Then at a Spanish going on. Hence the chemo rates

would be Spanish up. I really like it. Sometimes I get tired of

speaking English. Don't get too tired for another minute. Great

debate about whether coaches should be allowed on court. Are you in

favour? It helps in a way. Tennis is a very individual sport, it makes

the matches more interesting. It helps having your coach there to

help guide you a little bit. When you need it the most. I usually try

to call my couch out with any positive reinforcement, if I don't

know what is going on. I really like picking occasion I have with my

coach. You are playing really well at the moment, you must be feeling

really good. Winning qualifying, again for the keeping on winning. Do

you think you are the real role? This year has gone pretty uphill in

general. Proud of myself coming out of a sloppy year last year. Coming

into my own, finding myself in tennis, mentally. I am enjoying

myself at the moment, happy with everything I have accomplished.

Definitely helping me win more matches. Having fun. They will be

cheerily run on -- cheering you on in Puerto Rico. It has suddenly got

ridiculously dark. Monica Pug the any person through to the

semifinals. We are on air tomorrow on BBC Two