Johanna Konta claims quarter-final place at Australian Open
Monday 25 January 2016 16:31, UK
Johanna Konta has reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open after fighting back from a set down to claim victory over Ekaterina Makarova.
The 24-year-old completed a 4-6 6-4 8-6 win over the 21st-seeded Makarova to become the first British woman to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final since 1984.
Konta ended a 32-year wait for a female Brit entrant in the last eight, stretching back to when Jo Durie advanced to that stage at Wimbledon. She will next face Chinese qualifier Shuai Zhang for a place in the semis after she upset big-hitting American Madison Keys 3-6 6-3 6-3.
Both players exchanged breaks in the opening set and Konta appeared to be feeling the tension when she dished up an untimely double fault to hand Makarova a 1-0 lead in sets.
But Konta began to chip away at the Russian's resistance with her crisp ground strokes and secured the second set to level the match.
Again the Eastbourne-based player appeared to feel the nerves while serving for the match at 5-4 in the third set, allowing Makarova to break back and extend the contest.
Konta stuck to the task and broke again before bringing up three match points on her own serve, with Makarova pushing her forehand into the net to concede victory in a contest which lasted three hours and four minutes.
"I think mentally, emotionally, physically - I left it all out here on the court," Konta said after the match.
"I really just tried to hang in there and just run after every single ball and keep fighting every single point.
"That's all I can do at the end of the day. I feel fortunate enough that I was able to capitalise on some opportunities and close it out in the end."
Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka remained in ominous as she surged into a quarter-final against Angelique Kerber.
Former world No 1 Azarenka proved too strong for Czech Barbora Strycova on Rod Laver Arena, storming through 6-2 6-4 to set up a last-eight clash with Kerber, who beat fellow German Annika Beck 6-4 6-0.
"I'm looking forward to it. She's such a fighter and such a nice person," said the Belarusian, looking ahead to the test on Wednesday. "I'll just give it my best and I'm sure she'll do the same."
We will bring you all the news, views, reaction and opinion throughout the Australian Open.
