Is Johanna Konta the next big thing in women's tennis? The 24-year-old has won 20 of her past 21 matches and is into the last-16 of the Wuhan Open after shocking World No.2 Simona Halep.
Is Johanna Konta the next big thing in women's tennis? The 24-year-old has won 20 of her past 21 matches and is into the last-16 of the Wuhan Open after shocking World No.2 Simona Halep.
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Konta, who was born in Australia but became eligible to play for Britain in 2012, began the year 150th in the world but is expected to be just outside the top 50 when the new rankings are released.
Konta, who was born in Australia but became eligible to play for Britain in 2012, began the year 150th in the world but is expected to be just outside the top 50 when the new rankings are released.
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Konta reached the last-16 of the 2015 U.S. Open after claiming notable victories over Spain's Garbine Muguruza and Germany's Andrea Petkovic.<br />
Konta reached the last-16 of the 2015 U.S. Open after claiming notable victories over Spain's Garbine Muguruza and Germany's Andrea Petkovic.
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She has become an integral part of the Great Britain Fed Cup team, which is coached by Judy Murray -- mother of two-time grand slam champion Andy.
She has become an integral part of the Great Britain Fed Cup team, which is coached by Judy Murray -- mother of two-time grand slam champion Andy.
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Sue Barker was the last British female player to defeat a top-two ranked player. That was back in 1981 when she overcame Tracey Austin at Brighton.
Sue Barker was the last British female player to defeat a top-two ranked player. That was back in 1981 when she overcame Tracey Austin at Brighton.
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Heather Watson will lose her place as British No.1 to Konta next week. The 23-year-old lost to Jelena Jankovic in three sets.
Heather Watson will lose her place as British No.1 to Konta next week. The 23-year-old lost to Jelena Jankovic in three sets.
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Laura Robson, who was also born in Australia, has endured a difficult time of late after battling a succession of injuries. In 2013 she reached a career-high of 27th in the world.
Laura Robson, who was also born in Australia, has endured a difficult time of late after battling a succession of injuries. In 2013 she reached a career-high of 27th in the world.
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Konta faces Venus Williams for a place in the last four of the Wuhan Open. It is the first meeting between the rising star and the seven-time grand slam champion.
Konta faces Venus Williams for a place in the last four of the Wuhan Open. It is the first meeting between the rising star and the seven-time grand slam champion.
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Johanna Konta: Britain's rising star

Story highlights

Johanna Konta shocks World No.2 Simona Halep at Wuhan Open

Konta expected to move up to 55 in the world next week

British star has won 20 of her past 21 matches

CNN  — 

Is Johanna Konta tennis’ brightest rising star?

Well just ask world No.2 Simona Halep, who’s been turfed out of the Wuhan Open by the Briton – who made it 20 wins in 21 matches.

Konta sent top-ranked Halep packing 6-3 3-6 7-5 Wednesday despite being 5-1 down in the deciding set.

Ranked 66th in the world, Konta won six straight games to reach the round of 16 in a tournament featuring 19 of the world’s top 20 players.

What’s more remarkable is that Konta is the first British woman to beat a top two player in nearly 34 years.

You have to go back to October 1981 and Sue Barker’s win over No.2-ranked Tracy Austin for the last time a British woman pulled off such a result – and that was well before Konta was even born.

Konta, who will replace Heather Watson as the new British No.1 next week, started the year ranked 150 in the world.

But the 24-year-old, who was born in Australia but has represented Britain since 2012, is expected to rise as high as 55 in the world when the new rankings are announced.

Venus Williams 700
Zhong Zhi/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

Related article Venus Williams: American claims 700th career win

Konta has enjoyed the most successful year of her career so far by reaching the last-16 of the U.S. Open and qualifying for the French Open while also winning a number of International Tennis Federation titles.

Konta’s storming run has included victories over the likes of world No.8 Garbine Muguruza, Germany’s Andrea Petkovic and Russian Ekaterina Makarova.

And now there’s the simple task of taking on one of the greats of the game – seven-time grand slam winner Venus Williams.

Williams, who overcame Carla Suarez Navarro to record the 701st victory of her singles career, will start as favorite against Konta.