Australian Open 2016: Murray and Konta into semis

Published 1147 GMT (1947 HKT) January 27, 2016

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Andy Murray reached his 18th grand slam semifinal Wednesday defeating David Ferrer 6-3 6-7 6-2 6-3 in the Australian Open. PETER PARKS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

In the women's draw, Murray's compatriot Johanna Konta continued her incredible run as she overcame Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai to reach her first ever grand slam semifinal. The 24-year-old was ranked 150 in the world only last year and has already earned more prize money this year than in the whole of 2014. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

Konta's victory meant it was the first time since 1977 that Great Britain have had a male and female semifinalist in a grand slam. Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

Chinese No. 3 Zhang Shuai had never made it past the first round of a grand slam in her previous 14 attempts and claimed some major scalps along the way to the quarterfinals including world No. 2 Simona Halep. SAEED KHAN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Konta will play Angelique Kerber in the semifinal after the German overcame two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka 6-3 7-5. PETER PARKS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Azarenka, seeded 14th for the tournament, led 5-2 in the second set but squandered five set points to allow Kerber to snatch away victory. Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

Murray, who is bidding to reach a fifth final Down Under, will face Canada's Milos Raonic in the last four. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

Murray was rarely troubled by Ferrer who hadn't dropped a set up until the quarterfinals. WILLIAM WEST/AFP/AFP/Getty Images