Johanna Konta vs Simona Halep, Wimbledon quarter-final live: Can British hope make it into the final four?
Follow live coverage of Konta's Wimbledon quarter-final today
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Your support makes all the difference.Johanna Konta what promised not to let Simona Halep divert her attempt to become the first British woman to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals since 1978.
Konta beat France's Caroline Garcia 7-6 (7/3) 4-6 6-4 in the last 16 and is now looking to match Virginia Wade's run to the last four 39 years ago.
She may also have her eye on Wade's most significant record as the last British female to win Wimbledon in 1977.
But first, Konta must overcome Halep, the world number two, for whom the stakes are also high as she needs just one more victory at SW19 to become world number one.
Follow live coverage of the quarter-final below...
Here’s everything you need to know about Konta’s Wimbledon quarter-final.
What time does it start?
The match is third up on Centre Court.
Expect Novak Djokovic to beat Adrian Mannarino in three, but don’t be surprised if Jelena Ostapenko’s quarter-final against Venus Williams turns into a real slugfest.
All things considered, we think the match will likely begin at around 4pm.
Where can I follow it?
You can watch the match live on BBC One.
Alternatively, you can follow game by game updates and analysis with the Independent’s Wimbledon liveblog. Just bookmark this page.
What is the head to head record like?
Encouragingly for British tennis fans, Konta has won both of her previous matches against Halep who is the second seed at The Championships.
In 2015, Konta beat Halep in three sets at Wuhan.
And this year, Konta fought back from a set down to beat Halep 3-6 7-6(7) 6-2 in the quarter-finals of the Miami Open.
What are their Wimbledon records like?
Johanna Konta: 5-5
Simona Halep: 15-6
What have they been saying?
Johanna Konta, on whether there would be any bad blood between herself and Halep after their Fed Cup spat: “I'm playing against another tennis player, another opponent.
“I'm not playing against a crowd. I'm not playing against a past experience.
“Again, they were not in my shoes. They were not being verbally threatened. I think it's very difficult for them to understand my position in it."
Simona Halep, on the same topic: “After the match that day I said sorry if she felt bad. In my opinion, the public was very fair.
“I didn't have an emotional match with her. The problem was not with me. I don't expect it to be emotional, I expect a battle.”
Odds
Johanna Konta to win: 1/1
Simona Halep to win: 4/5
Additional reporting by PA.
Halep 3-0 Konta* (*denotes next server)
At 30-15 Halep sends a backhand lob long but she brings up game point with a huge serve-volley combo. She can't take it though as Konta forces her into a forehand error with some heavy hitting. At deuce Halep sends a backhand long to give the Briton a break point but that slips away as Konta misses her return. She misses her return again at deuce before Halep eventually seals the hold.
Halep 4-1 Konta* (*denotes next server)
Konta misses an easy forehand putaway but makes up for it with a sublime cross-court backhand winner to level the game up at 15-15. Halep sends down an unreturnable serve to win the next point but two huge returns in a row bring up a break point for Konta... but she can't take it as she snatches at a forehand return and hits the net. Back-to-back groundstroke errors from Konta hand the game to Halep.
Halep* 4-4 Konta (*denotes next server)
Konta hits a forehand long before a shanked backhand sees her fall 0-30 behind on her own serve. Halep then hits a backhand into the net before a Konta ace levels the game up. Another two huge unreturnable serves follow as Konta holds to 30.
Halep 7-6(2) Konta* (*denotes next server)
The first two points go with serve before Halep secures the mini break with a short angled backhand after an epic rally.
Halep wins the next point to go 3-1 up but a double fault follows as she relinquishes the mini break.
However, Konta hands the mini break back as she misses a drive forehand volley to go 4-2 down.
Halep outlasts Konta to win the next point before an inside-out forehand winner from the Romanian brings up four set points... and she needs just one as Konta sends a backhand well wide.
Halep* 7-6 0-1 Konta (*denotes next server)
A sloppy start to this second set as Konta misses an easy volley before sending a routine backhand wide. The Briton regroups to win the next four points for a hold to love. Gutsy.
Halep* 7-6 2-3 Konta (*denotes next server)
Konta races into a 40-0 lead but a double fault followed by back-to-back groundstroke errors see the game arrive at deuce. Halep misses her return to lose the next point before Konta seals the game with a forehand winner.
Halep* 7-6 3-4 Konta (*denotes next server)
A love hold for Konta as she keeps her nose ahead in this second set.
Halep* 7-6 4-5 Konta (*denotes next server)
At 30-30 Konta produces a big serve-backhand combo to bring up game point, which she takes with an unreturnable serve out wide.
Halep 7-6 5-5 Konta* (*denotes next server)
From 40-0 up Halep is pegged back to deuce as Konta moves to within two points of winning this second set. On the second deuce the Briton misses a short backhand to give Halep game point... and the Romanian takes it as Konta hits an easy volley into the tramlines.
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