Johanna Konta does not count her Australian Open semi-final defeat at the hands of Angelique Kerber as a missed opportunity to feature in a first grand-slam final.

Unseeded Konta fell short by losing 7-5 6-2 to Kerber, who set up a date in a maiden slam final of her own against world number one Serena Williams.

The German made just 11 unforced errors in the whole match on Rod Laver Arena on Thursday as she brought her British opponent's fairy-tale run to an end with a confident display.

Konta believes she was outplayed by the seventh-seeded Kerber, who rightfully earned herself a place in the final with consistently strong play.

"I don't think I missed an opportunity. I played against a better player today who earned her right into a grand slam final," the 24-year-old said.

"That's how I view it. She played a really, really good match. That's why she is the winner and I'm not today. I think that's all you need to accept about that.

"She's an incredibly tough player. I think she's one of the, if not the most consistent player on the tour - and that's no secret.

"She really makes every single ball possible and makes you work for every single point. She definitely played with that little bit more experience than I did.

"But I'm really taking a lot of positive things from it. I'm really hungry to keep improving and keep enjoying what I'm doing. So that's where I'm at.

"I think I've gained a lot more experience, a lot more circumstances that I got to be a part of."