Konta, champion at Stanford, loses to qualifier

Johanna Konta, shown during last week's Bank
of the West Classic at Stanford, lost to qualifier
Kristina Kucova today in the quarterfinals of the
Rogers Cup in Montreal. Photo by Paul Bauman

   Kristina Kucova, a qualifier ranked No. 121, ended Johanna Konta's winning streak and bid to become the first British player in 32 years to reach the top 10.
   Kucova, 26, of Slovakia eliminated the 15th-seeded Konta 6-4, 6-3 today in the quarterfinals of the Rogers Cup in Montreal.
   The 14th-ranked Konta had won seven consecutive matches, including four to win last week's Bank of the West Classic at Stanford.
   Kucova previously beat Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium, eighth-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain and hometown favorite Eugenie Bouchard.
   In today's semifinals, second-seeded Angelique Kerber of Germany will play fifth-seeded Simona Halep of Romania at 10 a.m. PDT, and Kucova will meet 10th-seeded Madison Keys of Boca Raton, Fla., at 3 p.m.
   Both matches, in addition to the men's semifinals in Toronto, will be televised by ESPN2.
   Kerber did not defend her Bank of the West Classic title this year.