Konta stuns world No.2

Williams, the current world number 24, has won seven Grand Slams since turning professional in October 1994.

“We’ve had a few great matches in the past, including a nice one earlier this year where she came out the victor – it was super close”, Williams said of the Spaniard”.

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 can’t believe I’m standing here as victor”.

“Johanna played so well”. She has had a wonderful summer. It seemed like I was finished.

“It’s no secret I’ve played injured most of the year – whether it was my elbow, my knee, or, in the final moments after a certain match in Flushing, my heart”, Williams said. “I don’t think there are too many outside distractions, which is good”.

The 35-year-old American battled into her first semifinal since Doha in February. But the unseeded American dug in and won the final four games to complete the mini-comeback and book her spot in the final four.

GB Fed Cup captain Judy Murray has described how Konta suffered with “performance anxiety” as recently as their last tie in February, but within six months she had found a level of inner steel that took her through qualifying and deep into a Grand Slam.

“Against Petra it’s always tough to play, ” Vinci said. Just enjoy my semifinal tomorrow and then we will see the ranking and everything.

This had been an intense 48 minutes, both women going after the ball, striking clean and deep, but Williams’ error level was just a bit lower, 13 to 16.

Konta was on a roll, but would surely live to regret a missed break chance in the second game.

Breaking in the fifth game, Konta issued a confident hold for 4-2.

The depth of Konta’s drive often denied Williams angles. Despite Schmiedlova’s best efforts, she was unable to counter the pace that Muguruza threw at her on a consistent basis. A cross-court shot was called out to give Konta another life but Williams ensured it was short-lived. It got the break, and Konta stepped up to serve for the math, 5-3. “Hopefully I can keep playing like this in the next match”.

Konta is anything but a household name in Britain, but based on these stats she really should be.