Johanna Konta has backed herself to eventually win a grand slam after falling at the quarter-final stage of the US Open.
British number one Konta was defeated by Ukrainian fifth seed Elina Svitolina 6-4 6-4 in the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday.
Despite the loss, the 16th seed has enjoyed her best grand slam year ever, also reaching the semi-finals of the French Open and quarter-finals of Wimbledon.
Konta, 28, believes her game is improving and that she is not far away from going even further in the majors.
She said: “Losing in the latter stages of a slam is a good problem to have but you want to be further.
“The more opportunities I give myself like this the more chances I have to go a few steps further.
“I don’t have any regrets from the match but I can definitely still get better, especially against an opponent like today.
“This year is the best I have done in my career in the slams so there is a lot to be proud of. It’s a nice achievement.
“I am pleased with how I am getting better. I am still developing and improving, which is nice, being 28.”
Svitolina’s impressive defence led to Konta trying to force the points with her aggressive returns, leading to 35 unforced errors – and 20 more forced by her opponent – outweighing 24 winners.
The Briton saved two match points before Svitolina, 24, served out for the win.
Konta added: “I have played her three times before and haven’t beaten her yet but that was the best she had played against me.
“I felt I was doing some good things but she just made me play the extra ball. It was frustrating. I would have loved to have come through the challenge but it will have to be the next time.”
Svitolina, the highest seed left in the draw, will play American 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams or China’s Wang Qiang in the last four.
