The current British No. 1 has become our first female to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final since Durie at Wimbledon in 1984.
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“Mentally, emotionally, physically, I left it all out here on court”, Konta said.
“It’s really about keeping on moving and keeping your mind as quiet as possible, the less thoughts the better.”
Johanna Konta has reached the semi-final of the Australian Open – the first British woman to reach the last four of a Grand Slam since 1983.
British No 1’s Andy Murray and Johanna Konta will both be eyeing quarter-final spots at the Australian Open on Monday.
After saving a break point that would have made it 5-5 and then converting her sixth set point, the confidence returned and Konta again earned a double-break lead in the second set. It was in 1978 the unseeded Chris O’Neil captured the women’s singles crown in Melbourne, earning an Australian victory on home soil.
Zhang first came to prominence in 2009 when she became the lowest ranked player to defeat a reigning world number one – Dinara Safina at the China Open, and she was once ranked 30th in the world.
“I haven’t spoken to mum and dad yet but I’m pretty sure they have jet lag because of the time difference”, Konta said.
“The fact that I was able to handle everything that has happened the last few days is a good sign”, he said. Kerber should feel good about making the quarters, but I expect her run here to end the same way it did in Brisbane, with a straight set loss to Azarenka.
She added: “Better [to] call me Shuai”.
“Maybe (for) two points you’re feeling like (they) can not play, and then next three balls, pong, pong, pong, make two aces (and) one victor”.
There is guaranteed to be a first-time Grand Slam finalist as Konta will face Angelique Kerber in tomorrow’s semi-final. Including last year’s US Open, Konta is 8-1 in her past nine major matches.
Twelve months on, the Sydney-born 24-year-old has emulated Eugenie Bouchard’s breathtaking run at the 2014 tournament by reaching the last four on her main draw debut at Melbourne Park.
“The UK is a number of thousands of miles away and a completely different time zone, which in this case it might be quite nice”, Konta said.
Konta soon put Zhang under scrutiny, claiming an early break with a bullet backhand to impose her authority. “I like everybody, but after this tournament I need a long break because I have already played seven matches”.
“It’s really just about, keep walking, just keep breathing”. Konta laughed. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t change it”. “I hope you can continue on like this, and bring more glory to your country”, wrote another.
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“One, I hate retiring; two, you don’t want to do that to someone who is trying to get into the quarter-finals”, Keys, who was in tears as she limped off court and had to be helped into her media interview by support staff, said.
