Johanna Konta has surged into a maiden WTA semi-final at her hometown Aegon International Eastbourne event.
The British No.1 was forced to play a waiting game all day Thursday as rain disruptions played havoc with the quarter-final schedule, but Konta managed to put in a ruthless performance early on Friday to navigate past 2010 champion Ekaterina Makarova 7-6(5), 6-4.
Ranked world No.146 at this stage last season, Konta continues to soar and thanked the raucous home support following her latest triumph.
“Thank you for making so much noise,” said a jubilant Konta to the packed Devonshire Park Centre Court crowd. “I’m so happy to play again and hopefully I gave you all a good match.”
I'll play the best I can and hopefully the adrenaline will keep me going
The Wimbledon No.16 seed was broken by Makarova instantly but fought back with a backhand winner down the line.
Konta’s well-disguised serve started to earn aces and free points, but Makarova was able to hold firm to wrestle the opener into a tie-break.
From 2-4 down Konta displayed remarkable resolve, and thanks to a beautiful backhand slice winner and fizzing forehand drew the scores level at 5-5.
The Russian then netted a short approach, which enabled Konta to pounce and steal the breaker with a delicate drop shot 7-5.
The pendulum swung with consecutive breaks before Konta ramped up the pressure with four aces in a single game to level the second set at 4-4.
In response, Makarova failed to deal with the Briton’s relentless returns and a wayward forehand gifted the No.11 seed a break to love.
Konta then served out the match to set up a meeting with Karolina Pliskova later on Friday. The 6ft1in Czech has beaten Konta in all four of their previous encounters.
“It will be bloody tough,” acknowledged the home favourite. “I’m yet to come through as the winner but I’ll play the best I can and hopefully the adrenaline will keep me going.”
Nottingham champion Pliskova has continued her rich vein of form to reach the Eastbourne semis without dropping a set.
The No.10 seed booked her meeting with Konta having dispatched 2013 Eastbourne champion Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6-3 earlier in the day.
