Miami Open: Konta into semis after Halep battle

The victory over the third-seeded Halep means Konta becomes the first British woman to reach the last four at Miami.

Joanna Konta returns to Simona Halep at the Miami Open on Wednesday.

Britain’s Johanna Konta fought back from a set down to beat Romania’s Simon Halep 3-6, 7-6(9/7), 6-2 and claim a spot in the semifinals of the Miami Open here on Wednesday.

The victory over the third-seeded Halep means Konta becomes the first British woman to reach the last four at Miami.

“I’m really happy that I’ve come through and I am just looking forward to my next round — it’s going to be a tough one,” said Konta.

Halep settled well in the opening set, with her powerful forehand dominant, but Konta fought back well in the second.

The Australia-born Konta broke early to establish a 3-0 lead but the gritty Romanian clawed her way back winning the next three games while her opponent failed to make the most of her openings in what was an error-strewn contest.

Nonetheless Konta stuck at her task and was able to break again when Halep was serving for the match and force a tie-break which she eventually won 9-7 to take the pair into the third game. There was a tense discussion between Halep and her Australian coach Darren Cahill.

Konta broke in the fifth game of the deciding set and visibly growing in confidence she broke again to take a 5-2 lead and serve out for the match.