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Johanna Konta beats Simona Halep in Wuhan Open last 16
Britain’s Johanna Konta staged a superb fightback to beat world number two Simona Halep 6-3 3-6 7-5 and reach the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open.
After winning the first set, Konta looked set for defeat as her Romanian opponent won the second and was 5-1 up in the decisive third.
However Halep had no answer as Konta fought back to progress.
The 24-year-old will next play former world number one Venus Williams for a place in the last four.
Konta becomes the first British woman to beat a world number two since Sue Barker defeated Tracy Austin in 1981.
“It was a very tough match,” said Konta.
“Halep played at an unbelievable level. I was really happy I was able to take a few of the chances I created.”
Who is Johanna Konta? |
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|---|---|
| She was born in Sydney, Australia, to Hungarian parents Gabor (hotelier) and Gabriella (dentist) | Konta became a UK citizen in May 2012, and has played 11 matches for the GB Fed Cup team since 2013 |
| She speaks Hungarian and English, and was introduced to tennis aged eight by her parents | Her career-high world ranking of 66 is set to rise to about 55 |
Konta, who will replace Heather Watson as British number one, had won 21 of her previous 22 matches this season.
She began the year ranked 150th but will pass her compatriot in next week’s rankings. Watson is ranked 60th in the world.
Konta came through two rounds of qualifying in Wuhan, joining 19 of the world’s top 20 in the main draw, and reached the last 16 after Victoria Azarenka retired with a leg injury.
Konta goes where few have gone before
It has been 34 years since a Briton has managed to beat a world number two.
Watson came close to beating world number one Serena Williams at Wimbledon this summer, while British number three Laura Robson defeated Kim Clijsters and Li Na at the 2012 US Open.
This year, Konta has twice beaten Wimbledon finalist Sabine Muguruza and has now overcome the world number two.
Konta’s year in numbers
- In 2011 she was world number 305, now she is ranked 66 and will climb further
- She has won $378,129 (£250,177)
- Konta has won 42 singles matches and lost 17 (71% win percentage)
- She has two title wins on the ITF Circuit
- Konta’s only defeat in 22 matches came at the US Open, when she lost to Petra Kvitova in the last 16
‘It’s not an accident’
“Playing Venus is a childhood dream,” said Konta. “I’m taking care of being able to recover.
“I feel lucky and humble I get to play so many matches, and be able to win a few of them. There’s a lot of hard work behind it. It’s not an accident or a click.
“Everything is a process and a journey, and it’s nice to be on a high right now.
“I’m not that amazed, overwhelmed or unnecessarily excited about every match. I’m an ambitious person and believe in my own ability. But I know how tennis works – there are ups and downs.”
Venus marches on
Venus Williams, a seven-time major champion, won her last Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2008
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Williams had little trouble reaching the last eight as the American beat Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3 6-4.
The 35-year-old, who claimed her 700th career victory in the previous round, saw off Navarro in one hour and 29 minutes.
BBC Sport