Halep was on top at the start of set two and, having failed to convert break points in the second game, she made no mistake in the fourth, surging into a 3-1 lead.
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Johanna Konta fought back from the brink of defeat to claim a remarkable victory over top seed Simona Halep at the Wuhan Open on Wednesday.
“I was content with my general execution and even thought I was serving for the match I don’t feel I lost it; Venus raised her amusement and played extraordinary tennis”, Konta told Sky Sports News.
“I’m feeling humbled and blessed I get to come back [on Thursday] and compete again”.
Konta’s stunning form will see her overtake Heather Watson as British number one when the rankings are updated.
Now in the quarter-finals of Wuhan, she had picked up 21 wins from 22 matches, and was already guaranteed to break the top 50 after starting the year at 146.
It was a wild ride to the semifinals as Konta hammered any mid-court ball she saw. “This is where I want to be, playing for a place in the final”. “I was just trying to stay out there as long as possible and keep fighting every single point”, Konta said.
Vinci, who ended the calendar grand slam ambitions of Venus’ sister Serena Williams at the U.S. Open semi-finals last month, was delighted to follow up her upset win over third seed Petra Kvitova in the previous round.
The qualifier confessed to BBCSport.com that it was “a bit of a childhood dream-I grew up watching her play”. “What really makes me happy are the consistent performances I’ve put in here day in, day out”. Much has changed since then, though, and when she went out on Wuhan’s centre court on Thursday, she did so as a serious contender.
Wimbledon runner-up Muguruza had a far easier afternoon as she swept past Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia 6-2 6-2.
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She will next face a legend of the sport in the seven-time Grand Slam victor Williams, who looked in good fettle herself as she defeated seventh seed Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain 6-3 6-4. When Halep served for the match at 5-2, Konta hit a brilliant forehand victor and Halep double faulted to lose the game.
