Australian Open: Johanna Konta becomes first British female to reach major quarter-final for 32 years

The British number one beat Ekaterina Makarova to advance in Melbourne

Johanna Konta after victory in Melbourne (GETTY IMAGES)

Mental strength has been the key to Johanna Konta’s remarkable run over the last nine months but the British No 1 proved here today that she also has the physical resilience to live with the game’s best.

Konta emerged the winner from the second longest women’s match at this year’s Australian Open to become the first British woman to reach the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam tournament for 32 years.

The world No 47 overcame the disappointments of losing the first set to Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova and failing to serve out for victory at the first opportunity to win 4-6, 6-4, 8-6 after three hours and four minutes. In Wednesday’s quarter-finals she will face the winner of today’s later match between Madison Keys, of the United States, and China’s Shuai Zhang.

“Three hours and four minutes,” Konta said in her post-match interview after being asked how she had won after such a gruelling “three-hour” battle. “Trust me, those four minutes count.”

She added: “I definitely left it all out here on court. I really just tried to hang in there and run after every single ball and just keep fighting on every single point because 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.”

Konta reached the fourth round of the US Open last year, becoming only the second British woman to do so since 1991, but has surpassed that effort with her achievement here. She is the first British woman through to the last eight here since Jo Durie in 1983.

Durie was also the last British woman to reach the quarter-finals of any Grand Slam tournament, at Wimbledon in 1984. Virginia Wade and Sue Barker are the only other British women in the Open era who have reached a Grand Slam quarter-final.

Konta is currently the world No 47 but after this latest victory she is expected to climb to a career-high position of No 32 at the end of the tournament, with further progress to follow if she extends her winning run.

Having beaten Makarova in her only previous meeting with the 27-year-old Russian last summer, Konta had every reason for confidence. She had also won her first three matches here without losing a set, starting with a victory over Venus Williams in her debut in the main draw here.

Once again Konta struck the ball consistently, served well, covered the court with superb athleticism and constructed her points with great maturity. Makarova, the world No 24, has an excellent record here, having reached the semi-finals last year and the quarter-finals on two previous occasions.

Against an opponent of Makarova’s quality, Konta knew that she would have to take her chances. The Briton played a measured game, waiting for her opportunities, but attacked whenever she could.

The last match of the day on Margaret Court Arena, which is the second show court here, began shortly after 5.30pm. The temperature was a pleasant 21C at the start, with a light breeze blowing, but it quickly grew chilly. There was a curious atmosphere in the stadium, with only a few hundred spectators staying until the end of the day, though they made plenty of noise.

From the start it was clear that this would be a battle fought mainly from the baseline. Both women are good ball-strikers who prefer to rally from deep in the court, relying on the power and consistency of their hitting, though Makarova showed a decent touch at the net when she did venture forward.

In the early stages Makarova made more mistakes, particularly when she had to generate her own pace on the ball. She celebrated her best shots with cries of “Come on!” but often screamed out in Russian when she made mistakes.

Johanna Konta (GETTY IMAGES)

Both women saved break points in their opening service games before Konta drew first blood at 1-1, capitalising on a series of Makarova errors to break to love. The Briton had two more break points two games later, but Makarova held on and then broke back for 3-3. Konta had not seemed in any trouble until the final game of the opening set, when two double faults helped Makarova to take it.

Konta, nevertheless, responded in impressive fashion. Her improved mental strength has been noticeable over the last year and she remained admirably focused on her task.

Striking the ball with great power, Konta broke serve in the opening game of the second set, had another break point two games later and held her own serve through the set with something to spare. After an hour and three-quarters the match into a deciding set.

Konta, having to save break points in her first two service games of the decider, appeared to be tiring early in the third set, but the Briton quickly recovered. Makarova saved two break points at 3-3 but two games later she was broken as Konta turned up the pressure with some bold attacking play. When Konta served for the match in the next game, however, Makarova went for broke and levelled at 5-5.

At 6-6, nevertheless, Konta broke again as Makarova, feeling the pressure, made some crucial errors. When Konta served for the match for the second time in the following game there was no stopping her. Big serves won the first two points, a missed forehand took her to 40-0 and on the first match point Makarova put a backhand return in the net. It was some victory.