The last time a British woman was in a Grand Slam Semifinal was back in 1983. The lady in question was Jo Durie at that years US Open. Since then British women have failed to make deep Grand Slam runs, but Johanna Konta ,the British #1, changed that. Konta had taken some big scalps on her way the the quarter finals, one of the largest being Venus Williams in the first round. Konta played qualifier Shuai Zheng in an attempt to land in the first semifinal in a grand slam for many a years. In a very one sided quarterfinal the Brit took her chances and was in complete control of the match. Konta didn’t dither with her play, and secured British history by booking a Semifinal slot 6-4, 6-1.
The last time Britain had a female and male Semifinalist in the same Grand Slam was back in 1977, with the players concerned being Sue Barker and John Lloyd at Roland Garros. Andy Murray took on David Ferrer knowing that a win would have him join Konta in the Semifinals and make more history by repeating the 1977 feat. After taking the first set 6-3 Murray was broken in the second set, however he leveled the set by breaking back. Eventually the second set went to a tiebreak, which was again a close affair but the Spaniard took the breaker 7-5. The world #2 then broke early in the second set and was leading at 3-1 up when the roof was closed. Once that had happened Murray wasted no time in securing set three at 6-2. In the fourth set Murray again was efficient and with amazing shots, that upended Ferrer, the Brit secured the match 6-3. The 38 year wait was over and more British history had been made.
Going back even further, all the way back to 1935 was the last time Britain had a man, a woman, and mens doubles semifinalists. Along with Konta and Murray, Jamie Murray playing with Bruno Soares the day before had secured a Semifinal berth in men’s doubles. Murray & Soares are the highest seeds left in the Australian Open men’s doubles and they will face Adrian Mannarino & Lucas Pouille in the semi final later on.
Main Photo:
