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          ICYMI at Wimbledon: Venus Williams eases through; Konta out

          • Victoria Monk, ESPNJul 13, 2017, 08:16 PM

          LONDON -- Everyone was hoping for another roller-coaster day of competitive tennis but, dare I say it, Thursday's Wimbledon results were rather anticlimactic.

          First, Garbine Muguruza bulldozed past Magdalena Rybarikova in a little over an hour, and then hometown hopeful Johanna Konta crashed out to Venus Williams.

          It was a far cry from the two grueling five-setters we were treated to on Wednesday.

          Still, Saturday's final between five-time champion Williams and never-looked-better Muguruza -- both of whom play exceptionally well on grass -- is sure to be an exciting meeting.

          Here's what Twitter had to say about the day's results:

          Blink and you missed it

          Muguruza crushed Rybarikova in a rapid 65 minutes, sealing a 6-1, 6-1 victory over the unseeded Slovakian.

          Though easily dominant, the Spaniard never let her concentration slip. She remained the calm, composed, attacking player we've seen throughout the tournament.

          Garbine Muguruza is looking every bit the title contender at Wimbledon. After rolling Magdalena Rybarikova in straight sets -- in which she only dropped two games – the Spaniard matched her run to the final in 2015. This time, she wants to go one better. "It's very different," Muguruza said in her post match press conference. "You know what you're going to feel. I feel much more control. I'm in control of my emotions, whereas before it was new for me." Conchita Martinez, who is Muguruza's Fed Cup coach and the last Spanish female to win a Wimbledon title, is working with the 23 year old in London. "She's helping me to deal with the stress -- it's a long tournament. She knows how to prepare, how to train. Not that I'm doing something different, but having her by my side gives me confidence."

          Rob Bartlett, ESPN UK Associate Editor7y ago

          Rybarikova, on the other hand, appeared uncharacteristically agitated from the very beginning; the proximity of a Wimbledon final was evidently too much pressure for her.

          Still, for the world No. 87, this undoubtedly has been a fairy-tale tournament.

          Muguruza also reached the Wimbledon final in 2015, where she lost to Serena Williams. Will the Spaniard have more success Saturday against big sister Venus?

          Déjà vu?

          Another day, and another Brit falls at the hands of an American.

          On Wednesday, defending champion Andy Murray was stunned by Sam Querrey. This time, Konta was ousted by Venus Williams 6-4, 6-2.

          This is what Konta had to say after her defeat:

          In her post-match press conference, Johanna Konta expanded on the reasons for her loss to Venus Williams and looks ahead to future success: "[Venus] did very well out there today, she dictated the match and showed why she's a five-time champion. It was very difficult for me to get a foothold in the match, the few opportunities that I did have she did a good job of taking them away from me. I think I was in with just as much of a shot at winning this tournament, it came down to the day and today Venus played better than me. There's no reason why I wouldn't be in a position to win a tournament like this one day."

          Victoria Monk, ESPN7y ago

          Thursday's victory put Williams in position to make history.

          Age is just a number for Venus Williams. The 37-year-old Williams defeated Johanna Konta today to advance to the Wimbledon final, becoming the oldest finalist at any Grand Slam since Martina Navratilova lost in the final at Wimbledon in 1994. Should Williams defeat Garbiñe Muguruza in the final, she'll become the oldest women's Grand Slam champion in the Open Era (since 1968). Venus is seeking her first Grand Slam title since 2008, when she won Wimbledon.

          ESPN Stats and Information7y ago

          Konta-mania

          Some adoring fans went all-out for the Brit's semifinal appearance, donning homemade Konta-strewn T-shirts.

          New kit for the US Open, Jo?

          Tennis bromance

          On Court 17, more sad news unfolded for British fans.

          Scotsman Gordon Reid's title-defense campaign came to an abrupt halt when he was ousted by Sweden's Stefan Olsson in the first round of the men's wheelchair singles.

          Olsson, who lost to Reid in the final of last year's event, stormed to a 6-2, 6-3 victory to reach the semifinals.

          However, all hope is not lost -- Reid will play with partner and best pal Alfie Hewett in a doubles semifinal Friday.

          Is this the bromance of all tennis bromances??

          Murray magic still alive

          No. 1 seeds Jamie Murray and Martina Hingis powered through their mixed doubles match against Brits Jocelyn Rae and Ken Skupski, winning 6-4, 6-4 and securing a place in the semifinals.

          Could we still see a Murray win at Wimbledon this year?