Australian Open: Johanna Konta ends 33-year British drought

Johanna Konta became the first British woman to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since 1983 yesterday when she ended the dream run of Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai at the Australian Open

Melbourne: Johanna Konta became the first British woman to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since 1983 yesterday when she ended the dream run of Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai at the Australian Open.

Johanna Konta

The Sydney-born Konta, who came through a draining three-setter in the fourth round, recovered to oust Zhang 6-4, 6-1 and set up a last-four clash against German seventh seed Angelique Kerber.

The 24-year-old Konta, who has blossomed in the last year, had never been beyond the fourth round at a Slam before but she now equals fellow Brits Virginia Wade (1972, en route to the title) and Sue Barker (1975 and 1977) in making the Melbourne semis.

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