The Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open has had a fair share of upsets and injury withdrawals of big WTA names, but the greatest shock was made by British Johanna Konta on Wednesday, when she sent home top seed and second-ranked Simona Halep, becoming the first British woman to beat a Top 2 player since Sue Barker more than 30 years ago (almost 34, to be exact). And to make things even better, the world No.66 Konta achieved the feat by recovering from 1-5 in the third set!
“Two hours and 17 minutes of very tough tennis!” @JoKonta91 reacts to shock win over top seed @Simona_Halep. http://t.co/ubSYYt1f8K
— Action Woman (@BTSportAW) September 30, 2015
The 24-year-old Konta is a qualifier in the Wuhan draw, just as she was at the recent US Open, where she marched on all the way to the fourth round. Now she’s through to the quarterfinals in China, after the 6-3 3-6 7-5 victory over the Romanian. Next up for Konta is Venus Williams, who defeated seventh seed Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3 6-4 in the third round.
Tweets of support and congratulations have come from many colleagues, mostly her fellow Brits, including ATP star Andy Murray.
Incredible result from @jokonta91👏👏👏👏👍
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) September 30, 2015
Big congrats!!! @JoKonta91 amazing!!!
— Katie Swan (@Katieswan99) September 30, 2015
Huge win for @JoKonta91! She could be world No.1 by this time next year if she keeps going at this rate!!! — Katie O’Brien (@katiejobrien) September 30, 2015
This girl is on fireeeeeeee 🔥🔥🔥🔥 @JoKonta91 https://t.co/aAiaxhA1wN
— Melanie South (@melaniesouth) September 30, 2015
Amazing! @JoKonta91 has just beaten world number 2 Simona Halep!!! 2015 just keeps getting better for the Brit! — Anne Keothavong (@annekeothavong) September 30, 2015
