Australian Open 2016: Johanna Konta defeats Zhang Shuai to reach semi-finals in Melbourne

Britain's Johanna Konta continued her stunning form at the Australian Open with a straight-set win (6-4 6-1) over China's Zhang Shuai in the quarter-finals in Melbourne. The victory on Rod Laver Arena on January 27 means Konta, 24, has become the first British woman to reach a grand slam semi-final since Jo Durie in 1983.

The unseeded right-hander took advantage of the inexperience of her opponent - who is ranked 133rd in the world - to win in one hour and 22 minutes. Konta will next face German seventh seed Angelique Kerber in the semi-final.

"I didn't put anything on this match," said Konta, according to the BBC. "I just wanted to come out and play the best level that I could, and give the best entertainment I could."

The Sydney-born player began the biggest match of her career in impressive fashion, breaking her opponent's serve twice in the opening set. And although she saw two match points slip through her grasp in the second set, she quickly regained her composure to win the match.

"To be honest, I was taking it a match at a time. She definitely didn't make it easy for me," Konta said.

Konta will play Angelique Kerber in an unlikely semi-final match-up following the German's win over the in-form Victoria Azarenka (6-3 7-5). Kerber had never previously beaten her Belarusian opponent in six previous meetings.

"I can't actually describe it in words," said Kerber. "I was 0-6 [against Azarenka] before I came on court and I was just saying to myself, 'Just play like you play in practice, just go for it and believe you can beat her,'" she said afterwards. "I'm so happy I beat her for the first time."