Andy and Johanna both reach last eight
ANDY Murray and Johanna Konta both secured places in Wimbledon’s quarter finals yesterday as British tennis broke a record more than four decades old.
It is the first time a British man and woman have both reached the final eight since Roger Taylor and Virginia Wade in 1973.
Konta fell to the ground and put her head in her hands after edging a thrilling tie to become the first British woman to reach the last eight since 1984.
Meanwhile, defending champion Murray, 30, won in straight sets to power through to the quarter finals for the tenth year in a row as his pregnant wife Kim watched on.
Wearing a £65 maternity top from Seraphine, she was seen massaging her back.
Murray was also watched by former longstanding British No 1 Mr Taylor, now 75.
The world No 1 shook his fist in the air after beating Frenchman Benoit Paire 7-6 6-4 6-4 on Centre Court.
Konta, 26, thanked the ‘ incredible’ crowd as she won her fourth round match against France’s Caroline Garcia 7-6 4-6 6-4 on Court One.
If both Murray and Konta win their next matches, today and tomorrow, it will be the first time in 50 years that British players have won spots in both singles semi finals.
Asked about her historic win, Konta said: ‘It’s very exciting. It’s another step forward to being involved in the event for the full two weeks. But it is a massive compliment to me. It’s a great achievement.
‘I’ve dreamed of it ever since I was a little girl, to be a Grand Slam champion. But right now I’m in the quarter final stage. I’m playing against an incredibly tough opponent next. That’s my next battle.’
Konta said she was humbled by comments made by former champion Wade, who on Sunday said Konta was ready to win the tournament.
‘That’s something that’s very complimentary towards me,’ Konta said. ‘It’s humbling that I have such champions thinking so highly of me. Again, there’s a lot of work to be done between then and being in a position to be playing for the Wimbledon title.’
Former British tennis star Jo Durie, who made the last eight in 1984, led praise of the world No 7 yesterday and said it was ‘ about time’ another UK woman made the quarter finals. She tweeted: ‘Well done @JoKonta91 fab match & welcome to the Last 8 Club.’
Konta today faces Romanian world No 2 Simona Halep, who has made more than £14 million in prize money in her career. She beat former No 1 and new mother Victoria Azarenka in straight sets yesterday.
Halep said of Konta: ‘It’s going to be a big challenge for me. She’s a good player. She’s playing well.’
Murray faces American Sam Querrey, the world No 28, tomor- row. He told reporters he was delighted about Konta’s success because it gives British fans who do not like him someone else to cheer.
‘I do think it makes a difference to the interest in the sport, because a lot of people who follow tennis in this country won’t enjoy watching me play. It’s true,’ he said.
‘So it’s great if you have someone like Jo or Kyle [Edmund]. People like different game styles, different personalities. It’s great that she’s doing well. Hopefully she keeps going the next few days.’
He added: ‘It’s important to have various different role models in the sport, players competing for the biggest events.’
World No 46 Paire lost to Murray, who was nursing a sore hip before the tournament, in two hours and 21 minutes. The Frenchman said the Scot was not playing like he was injured. He added: ‘I played him last year in Monte Carlo, and it was the same guy against me today. I think he can win Wimbledon.’
After her defeat, Garcia said Konta was playing well.
She said: ‘She can definitely handle the pressure, and she did well in the three first rounds already. I think she’s doing good. I don’t know how she did in the past, but she’s a very tough player, and she did very well in the Grand Slam, so it’s not a surprise for me.’
‘Many won’t enjoy watching me’