Johanna Konta relishing Australian Open quarter-final showdown
Wednesday 27 January 2016 08:27, UK
Johanna Konta says pressure will play key part in her Australian Open quarter-final against China's Zhang Shuai.
The pair are entering unchartered territory as they go in search of a place in the last four in Melbourne. Zhang had lost all 14 of her previous first-round matches in Grand Slam tennis, while Konta's best performance came at the US Open last year when she reached the fourth round.
Despite her lowly ranking of 133 in the world, Zhang is a former top 30 player with two WTA titles to her name, and Konta believes temperament could be the key at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday.
"I think it's about becoming just very strong in that belief, that whatever happens, I can handle it. That's what you keep taking with you," said the British No 1.
"When you're able to relate back, when you think back to being in certain situations and you have little replays in your mind - I've been here, I've been in a similar situation - I guess you take comfort from that.
"No matter how uncomfortable or how hard or how difficult it gets, the more experiences you've had, the more you realise that practically, you're going to survive it."
Konta, who beat 24th seed Ekaterina Makarova to set up a showdown with Zhang, is the first British woman to reach a grand slam quarter-final since Jo Durie reached the last eight at Wimbledon in 1984.
"She's so consistent, it's really hard to get through her," Durie said of the 24-year-old.
"She doesn't miss much, hits the ball well and has a lovely serve. But mentally she believes in herself now and my goodness what a change."
Andy Murray's victory over Bernard Tomic makes this the first time Britain has boasted quarter-finalists in the men's and women's major tournament since the Australian Open of 1977.
"She's doing great," Murray said. "To back up what she was doing at the end of last year was fantastic.
"She's clearly stayed pretty calm, had some excellent wins here against very tough opponents, high-ranked opponents, and experienced ones. She's doing really, really, really well.
"She's just got to keep doing what she's doing. Keep her head down, keep working hard, stay calm."
We will bring you all the news, views, reaction and opinion throughout the Australian Open.
