Johanna Konta serves notice in Rome, Bertens awaits in semifinals

What a week it's been for Johanna Konta, who advanced to the semifinals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia by defeating Marketa Vondrousova on Thursday, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.

On a jam-packed, dramatic Thursday, Konta had posted back-to-back wins against Sloane Stephens and Venus Williams in the second and third-round matches, respectively. The double duty was caused by Wednesday's washout.

The Brit, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 4 in 2017, has seen her ranking fall—she's currently world No. 42. With her recent good form, she's steadily climbing her way back to the Top 10.

Earlier this month in Rabat, she reached her first final in nearly a year, falling to Maria Sakkari.

This will be Konta's first trip to the Rome semifinals, having reached the third round several times.

"I've been to the third round here for a number of years, so I'm very pleased to have gone one further," Konta said after her third-round win. "I love being here. I've always enjoyed coming to Rome, even outside of tennis. It extends my trip here, which is nice. Hopefully keep extending it."

She will face off against Kiki Bertens, who earned a walkover after top-seeded Naomi Osaka withdrew earlier on Thursday with a hand injury.

"I woke up this morning and couldn't really move my thumb," Osaka said. "I tried to practice and grip my racket but I couldn't, and I kept feeling this pain when I tried to move my hand in different directions."