Great Britain will be represented in the men’s and women’s singles semi-finals of a grand slam for the first time since 1977 after Andy Murray and Johanna Konta saw off David Ferrer and Shuai Zhang in the Australian Open last eight.
While it breaks new ground for Konta, it is Murray’s 18th appearance in the last four of a major tournament.
Four times he has gone on to the final in Melbourne and lost but while there were periods where Murray struggled for fluency against Ferrer, he also produced some of his best tennis when it really mattered to win 6-3 6-7 (5/7) 6-2 6-3 victory.
Ferrer came into the match as the only man in the draw not to have dropped a set but the Spaniard was outclassed by Murray’s attacking prowess, particularly after the stadium’s roof was closed in the third set following some nearby thunder and lightning.
“It was good to have a break because we played some brutal rallies so we could come back refreshed,” Murray said.
“It is tough in those situations. Ideally I would have played the next game and held and then had the break.
“But I like playing indoors. I grew up in Scotland where the weather isn’t like here so I grew up playing indoors, I don’t mind it.”
Konta’s fairytale run added another chapter as she overcame Chinese qualifier Shuai Zhang.
Konta had never even made the main draw in Melbourne before this year but, incredibly, she now stands just two wins away from the title after beating Zhang 6-4 6-1.
The final point was a moment of fortune, as the ball struck the net and dropped the other side, but this is no fluke for Konta, who has backed up her breakthrough run to the last 16 at the US Open in September.
“She definitely didn’t make it easy for me today, every time I got ahead she was there,” Konta said.
“Unfortunately I won it on that let cord, I’m not that proud of that, but I’m happy I fought on every point.”
This was billed the battle of the under-dogs, with Zhang coming through qualifying before winning her first ever grand slam match against world number two Simona Halep in the first round.
The result would be decided as much by who better handled the occasion as who struck the stronger ball, but Konta did both, overcoming some jitters at the end of the first set to seal another convincing victory.
“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. “They’ve been staying up at all times.”
The British number one will next face world number six Angelique Kerber, who had earlier beat Belarusian Victoria Azarenka in straight sets.