Johanna Konta becomes first British woman since 1978 to reach Wimbledon semi-finals with battling win over Simona Halep

7:04PM

Pliskova the new world No 1

Defeat for Halep means Karolina Pliskova is the new world No 1. Pliskova went out in the second round of Wimbledon to quarter-finalist Magdalena Rybarikova.

7:02PM

Next up Venus

Konta will face 37-year-old Venus Williams in Thursday's semi-final for a place in the final. Venus earlier dispatched of French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets.

Konta's win over Halep means she remains the bookies favourite for the women's title at (9/4), ahead of Garbine Muguruza and Venus.

The bookmakers also makes her just 2/1 to be world No 1 within a year.

6:59PM

Konta speaks

6:54PM

Konta 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 Halep* (*next server)

Serving for the match now, the pressure tells from the off, drifting a forehand long. Konta watches Halep's own forehand land long to draw level and then moves Halep from side-to-side again, finding the space to push home the winner for 30-15. The umpire instructs the crowd to wait until the end of each point before calling out. Konta has shown nerves of steel throughout and now she brings up two match points with a backhand cross-court winner. She allows herself a couple of deep breaths. The first serve lands wide. But Halep dumps a return into the net during the next rally amid the crowd calling out again. Halep looks to the umpire out of hope of replaying the point. But no, Konta has done it. She's into the semi-finals of Wimbledon, the first time a British woman has achieved a feat since Virginia Wade in 1978! GAME, SET, MATCH - KONTA BEATS HALEP TO REACH SEMI-FINALS.

6:48PM

Konta* 6-7, 7-6, 5-4 Halep (*next server)

A couple of loose backhands from Konta and a clean forehand winner from Halep take the Romanian to three game points. She cements another love hold and then puts it on Konta to serve out for the match and only a place in the last four of Wimbledon. No pressure. 

6:47PM

Konta 6-7, 7-6, 5-3 Halep* (*next server)

Konta's game-face has dropped at all as her battling qualities move her closer to becoming the first British woman since Virginia Wade in 1978 to reach the last four of Wimbledon. Virginia's here watching on Centre and will be loving what she's seeing as Konta engineers her way to 40-0. A superb forehand winner with Halep scampering in the opposite direction takes her one game away from the semis.

6:44PM

Konta* 6-7, 7-6, 4-3 Halep (*next server)

An assured love-hold from Halep. The world No 2 punches a volley to bring up a speedy game. Now she'll mull over his next move as both players retreat to their chairs. Meanwhile, the rain continues to fall outside Centre. Remember the conclusion to Vandeweghe vs Rybarikova will follow the conclusion of this match.

6:42PM

Konta 6-7, 7-6, 4-2 Halep* (*next server)

Halep looks forlornly at her racket head as she prepares to return serve. Konta turns the screw with a backhand winner across court for 30-0 to pile the misery on Halep. A love hold would be the perfect follow up to a break. Konta hangs in the next rally, is fortunate to be well placed with a soft return from Halep which needed better execution. Konta's defensive work pays off as a reply lands long. Konta has three game points. It won't be a love-hold as Halep whips a return winner across court. Konta's pegged back to 40-30 by netting a forehand but Konta gets over the line when the Romanian pushes a service return long. Konta cements the break. 

6:36PM

Konta* 6-7, 7-6, 3-2 Halep (*next server)

Konta sends Halep the wrong way with one well-timed forehand, just as the Romanian was moving in the opposite direction. It takes her to 15-30 and she senses a chance here. And she should. She gets back on the frontfoot, drawing another error from Halep to set up two break points. Can she finally make them count? YES SHE CAN!! Halep pulls a forehand into the sidelines. She's only gone and made the break, only the second from eight this match. KONTA BREAKS.

6:33PM

Konta 6-7, 7-6, 2-2 Halep* (*next server)

Konta strikes a regulation backhand into the net at close quarters at 30-0 but settles herself by drawing an error from the world No 2 on her backhand wing. Konta's concentration levels haven't dipped as Halep strikes a service return long. It remains on serve.

Meanwhile, Murray will be first up on Centre tomorrow...

6:29PM

Konta* 6-7, 7-6, 1-2 Halep (*next server)

Halep throws in a double at 40-0 but forces Konta to go deep on the next point to put the pressure straight back on the No 6 seed. The Romanian has only made six unforced errors all match. Konta, meanwhile, has struck 42 winners compared to Halep's 22.

6:25PM

Konta 6-7, 7-6, 1-1 Halep* (*next server)

Now two hours into this match and Konta starts her service game gingerly with a loose forehand. An ace brings her level but there's anxious moments as she slips 15-30 down. Konta handles the pressure well, stepping into court and swinging an volley out wide. But there's not enough conviction behind another volley and watches a Halep forehand fly past her for a second break point. Halep has taken her only break point this match. She doesn't get a chance this time round as Konta floats a forehand winner that lands flush on the line. Konta dictates the next point, forcing Halep from side to side and then executes a winner down the line. 

Halep shows great resilience to hang around in the game, seizing on anything short. But Konta keeps coming in the key moments on deuce, denying Halep of a break point. A tame drop shot brings Halep back to a fourth deuce but this time she takes advantage of a clip to the net tape, patrolling the net and sending down another volley into the empty court. A quite brilliant swinging volley deep into the corner finally brings up the game. This two games alone have taken 20 minutes. 

6:14PM

Konta* 6-7, 7-6, 0-1 Halep (*next server)

The umpire came down from his chair while Konta was off for her refreshment break, instructing Halep that she couldn't make use of the match balls during the hold up in play. 

Halep isn't fazed by the delay, sending down a second serve ace before a couple of forehand winners bring Konta in at 30-all. Now the Briton needs to turn the heat on. Halep handles the pressure, getting in a first serve and then staying aggressive during the next rally to hold.

6:08PM

Meanwhile...

....the conclusion to the other quarter will take place on Centre after this match. Good decision. Great value for fans on Centre too.

6:05PM

Konta 6-7, 7-6 Halep TIEBREAK CONT

Halep challenges a forehand from Konta that landed on the line and she's proved right, much to the surprise of the umpire (3-4). Konta shakes off that last point to stay in touch (4-4) but then over-eggs a backhand to hand the momentum with Halep (4-5). The Romanian now has two serves. She plops a return into the net (5-5) and then holds tight, biding her time and drawing the error from Halep to bring up set point (6-5). She makes it with a deep backhand into the corner (7-5). KONTA TAKES TIE-BREAK TO LEVEL MATCH ONE-SET ALL 

6:01PM

Konta 6-7, 6-6 Halep TIEBREAK

Konta sends a forehand deep into the corner to take the opening point on her serve when Halep dumps a backhand into the net (1-0). The Briton sends a return long on the first of Halep's serve, and it's deja vu on Halep's second serve (1-2). Halep races into another 3-1 lead as she did in the first set when a return lands flush on the line (1-3), Konta digs deep on the next, forcing the error from Halep (2-3). A brilliant service return sets Konta up on the next and she pushes a forehand down the line to draw level at the changeover (3-3).

5:57PM

Konta* 6-7, 6-6 Halep (*next server)

Halep makes a great get on the chase, sending a forehand deep into the corner. She backs it up with an ace down the T to take the second set to another tie-break. 

5:54PM

Konta 6-7, 6-5 Halep* (*next server)

Good aggressive play still from Konta, staying in the moment and making the right shot choice. She backs up a deep return with a smashed overhead for 30-0 but Halep focuses on Konta's backhand during the next rally before pulling the trigger. 

Konta steers out another comfortable hold and this looks to be heading for another breaker.

5:50PM

Konta* 6-7, 5-5 Halep (*next server)

Konta hasn't put barely a feet wrong this match, it's just been the break points missed proving her downfall so far. Konta pushes a backhand volley into the ad side at three game points and then forces Halep to miss a pass when patrolling the net for 40-30. A cracking forehand service return beats Halep hands down but the Briton can't make it four straight points and Halep gives herself a talking too. Halep, who has been known to get down on herself, hangs tough, and edges back in front for advantage. Konta goes for broke on one return but it lands in the sidelines. Konta still knocking on the door of Halep's serve. 

5:44PM

Konta 6-7, 5-4 Halep* (*next server)

Tricky times now for Konta as her first serve goes missing for the first real time in the match and she's staring at 30-all. She pulls a first serve out of the bag at a crucial moment and backs it up with a backhand winner down the line. She flaps away a fly shaping to serve, but it doesn't throw her concentration. Handled the pressure well, edges back in front. Halep has only made five unforced errors this match. Such a high level.

5:40PM

Konta* 6-7, 4-4 Halep (*next server)

This is by far the sternest test Halep has faced these championships, the average rank of player faced by the Romanian out at 237. Konta's average opponent ranking has been much lower at 74.

Konta has an opening now at 15-30 and certainly does as she whizzes a backhand winner which lands flush on the line. She's only made one of five. She misses the first when she can't make a return. The second goes begging again as she goes long and then mutters something under her breath. Great defensive from Halep draws the error from Konta but the Briton keeps the pressure on to reel her in for a second deuce. Over-eagerness gets the better of Konta on a second serve, and Halep is given another let-off. 

5:34PM

Konta 6-7, 4-3 Halep* (*next server)

Konta still in the serving groove, maintaining her first serve levels into the 80% range. She races through another love hold when Halep can't get under and over a service return. 

5:32PM

Konta* 6-7, 3-3 Halep (*next server)

A bad bounce from a Halep first serve deceives Konta. Djokovic earlier wasn't happy with the condition of the court, saying he's played on much better grass courts. Halep isn't fussed by the condition of Centre as she racks up another three game points. Halep stays on the frontfoot and moves Konta to all angles of the court, but the British No 1 will not let up in her determination to send back every point possible. One drop shot winner surprises Halep, but the Romanian still steers out the game.

5:27PM

Konta 6-7, 3-2 Halep* (*next server)

Konta remains measured and focused, keeping Halep working hard and advancing to three game points before throwing in her first double of the match. A loose forehand brings Halep in to 40-30 and the pressure isn't lost on the crowd who give their woman a little pick-me up. It hasn't done the job. Again she goes long to hand Halep another free point at deuce. Konta finds her first serve again to stop Halep's flow. She backs it up by following up a deep first serve with a forehand winner. 

5:23PM

Konta* 6-7, 2-2 Halep (*next server)

Halep now up at 70% on points won on her first serve as she secures a love-hold. 

5:20PM

Konta 6-7, 2-1 Halep* (*next server)

Konta's service levels haven't dipped despite dropping that opening set. Halep denies the No 6 seed of a love-hold with a ball straight at her at the net, and forcing her into the sidelines with a forehand during the next point for 40-30. Konta sends Halep the wrong way by backing up a fine serve out wide and Konta edges back in front this set. 

5:16PM

Konta* 6-7, 1-1 Halep (*next server)

Konta works the angles during another lengthy rally before Halep misses with a winner down the line, allowing Konta in at 15-30. The Briton swings and makes a powerful forehand for two break points but can't get enough lift on a backhand to squander the first one. The second goes begging when Halep places a first serve perfectly down the T. Four straight points, and Halep manages to hold. 

5:12PM

Konta 6-7, 1-0 Halep* (*next server)

Another wayward volley early on from Konta draws further groans from the locals on Centre Court. A loose backhand sees Halep a mini-break up at 0-30 before an unforehand error from Halep and service winner draw Konta back level. The Briton finally punches a volley at the net, showing confidence despite those earlier fluffs. Great angles from Konta during the next point bring up game as Konta works Halep from corner to corner before executing a winner. 

5:06PM

Konta 6-7 Halep* TIE-BREAK CONT

Konta blinks first during the next slug-fest and is breathing heavily as she glances at the scoreboard (5-2). Halep stays in the moment, striking cleanly and hits a forehand winner to bring up four set points (6-2). She takes it on the first when Konta drags a backhand wide (7-2). HALEP WINS TIE-BREAK TO TAKE FIRST SET

5:04PM

Konta 6-6 Halep* TIE-BREAK

Halep wins the first point on her serve (1-0), but Konta restores parity with a put away at the net at the second bite of the cherry (1-1). Konta is taking advantage of anything short and the pair are locked in an enthralling rally which Halep takes with a looped back hand which lands flush on the line (2-1). She cements it (3-1) but then double faults to bring Konta back in (3-2). Konta gets herself well placed during the next rally but an inexplicable miss with a volley gifts Halep a two-point cushion at the changeover (4-2).

5:00PM

Konta 6-6 Halep* (*next server)

Konta get her timing all wrong reaching out at one forehand but her sheer power gets the beating of Halep on the next point as she engineers enough space to punch a winner past the Romanian. Konta shows soft hands at the net to flick a drop shot out of Halep's path but then sticks a backhand into the net for 30-all.

The British No 1 finds a timely first serve but then misses a first serve for only the second time in the match. She shouldn't be fussed as she takes the point with a forehand winner across court. Tie-break time here we come.

4:54PM

Konta* 5-6 Halep (*next server)

Heavy groundstrokes from the baseline now as both women opt for power and Halep blinks first at 30-all. A deep first serve is sent long by Konta and further deep hitting backed up by a smashed clearance at the net bring up a comfortable hold in the edge after early pressure.

4:51PM

Konta 5-5 Halep* (*next server)

Konta has got 95% of her first serves in, an incredible stat. She's won 62% on her first serve and is 100% on that one lone second serve. Yet more precise serving edge her to two game points. A let call briefly holds her up momentarily, but she stays in touch in the set.

4:47PM

Konta* 4-5 Halep (*next server)

Halep back on song with her serving rhythm having been broken last time out. She steers her way to three game points before Konta sends a service return winner flashing past her. Konta steps in to another short return to dictate the rally, but then is pushed back by a deep return from Halep to shank a return high and wide. 

4:45PM

Konta 4-4 Halep* (*next server)

Now Konta is feeling the heat again as a shanked return allows Halep of a mini-break. Konta pushes a forehand into the corner and patrols the net as Halep dumps a forehand down low. Her first ace brings her back level at 30-all and an unreturnable first serve down the T move her to game point. A serve out wide, which Halep gets her racket head to but can't control move Konta level in the set. Momentum all with Konta. 

4:41PM

Konta* 3-4 Halep (*next server)

Pressure now from Konta as she moves to 0-30. She's been knocking on the door the last couple of games, could this now be her moment? Konta gets a second serve away from her body and her return is too good for Halep to control. It brings up three break points. She takes it on the first with a cracking backhand winner across court. That's eight straight points in a row for the British No 1. KONTA BREAKS.

4:39PM

Konta 2-4 Halep* (*next server)

Konta gets down low to make a super pickup and drills a backhand winner down the line for 30-0. She works Halep side-to-side during the next rally and pulls the trigger with a forehand winner in space down the line. Konta draws an error from Halep during the next rally and it's a first hold to love.

4:35PM

Konta* 1-4 Halep (*next server)

Konta's anxiety just getting the better of her as she pushes a regulation volley long. She backs it up with a trademark backhand cross-court winner but can't control a deep serve out wide for 30-15. Konta's on the next slower serve in a flash, drilling a backhand deep into Halep's feet. She connects on the next, drawing the error from Halep and she has another break point again for the second game running. The moment passes again, as it did before, as she rushes a service return. She gets the next one in, focusing on Halep's forehand before changing sides and pushing a forehand down the other corner, it goes long. Another long groundstroke and Halep manages to hold again. Konta's getting closer.

4:31PM

Konta 1-3 Halep* (*next server)

Halep has spent nearly two hours less time on court compared to Konta and is yet to drop a set this championships. Konta has been on court in total, seven hours and 42 minutes as she races to three game points on her serve this time round. She's briefly held up by a loose forehand, and then a wayward backhand, but then is on the scoreboard when Halep sends a service return wide. 

4:26PM

Konta* 0-3 Halep (*next server)

Halep showing great athleticism and movement round the corner early on to punish Konta with some hard-hitting from the baseline and tidy play at the net. Konta takes advantage of a clip to the tape by rushing the net, and Halep fails with her attempts at a lob. Konta stays toe-to-toe with the No 2 seed and a forehand winner across court brings the Briton to deuce. Great defensive play from Konta on the next, as she outlasts her opponent and forces Halep to go long. Advantage and a first break point look. It's only a brief glimpse as a service return flies long. Halep manages to turn it around, and three straight points cement that early break.

4:20PM

Konta 0-2 Halep* (*next server)

Konta gets her first serve in but deep returning from Halep keeps her on the backfoot. One dodgy bounce gets the beating of Konta and then a forehand into the sidelines give Halep an early look at 15-30. Konta has it all to do staring down two early break points when nerves get the better of her and she pushes a groundstroke long. A superb service return which flashes past Konta dampens the crowd's spirit. HALEP BREAKS.

4:17PM

Konta* 0-1 Halep (*next server)

Konta rushes the net during opening point off Halep's serve but the Romanian charges down a short return and pushes a forehand winner down the line. A huge roar rings round Centre when Konta swings and makes a service return for her first point but then can only watch as a forehand is whipped across court and out of the British No 1's reach.

Konta levels again for 30-all by drawing the error from Halep but then strikes long when well placed as Halep steers her way out of any early danger.

4:14PM

Here we go...

McEnroe's advice to Konta: Play strong but don't go for outright winners.

4:12PM

No 1 spot at stake for Halep

Simona Halep has more than just a place in the Wimbledon semi-finals at stake. Victory this afternoon would see her take the No 1 spot in the rankings next Monday. If Konta beats Halep then the No 1 ranking will belong to Karolina Pliskova.

The players are out and now going through their warm-ups.

4:03PM

Ready for Konta vs Halep

Venus Williams needed only one hour and 13 minutes to dispatch of French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko which means we'll be minutes away from the arrival of the British No 1 Jo Konta.

Williams didn't allow Ostapenko a chance to get a foothold in the match, and even when the Latvian briefly threatened to get herself back in the way, fantastic serving from the American, coupled with a handful of errors from the 20-year-old, particularly on her forehand wing, ensured Williams of her place in a 10th Wimbledon semi-final.

4:01PM

Match preview

What is it?

It's the women's quarter-final of Wimbledon, the first time that a British woman has been in one since Jo Durie in 1984. It's between Britain's Johanna Konta, and Romania's Simone Halep

What time will it start?

Konta vs Halep is the third match on Centre Court, and with play scheduled to start at 12pm BST, we're expecting this match get under way around 4pm. 

What TV channel is it on?

It will be on BBC2 from 12.30pm but you may have to switch over to BBC1 at some point. Everyone loves that. Failing that, you can follow it here.

What are they saying?

Johanna Konta became the first British woman to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals since Jo Durie in 1984 when she outlasted Caroline Garcia of France 7-6(3) 4-6 6-4 in an evenly-matched baseline battle on Monday.

Konta had previously won only one match in five Wimbledon appearances. But after racking up her fourth in this tournament, she now finds herself facing Romanian second seed Simona Halep and, with the woman's draw looking wide open, has an outside chance of becoming the first home champion since Virginia Wade 40 years ago.

The sixth seed, who spent her formative years in Australia before moving to play in Spain as a 14-year-old and then becoming British in 2012, put on an efficient display, albeit with a big wobble in the middle, to overcome a tenacious foe.

Konta was always on top in the first set despite having to take it via a tie break, when one amazing reaction forehand return to a Garcia smash had the sun-baked Number One court crowd roaring their appreciation.

Konta, famously controlled on court, did not get carried away with the success, however, and seemed equally calm when she lost five games in a row en route to Garcia taking the second set.

Her coach Wim Fissette has suggested she might try breaking out of her on-court "neutral zone" in a bid to take the next step in her career. But the 26-year-old Konta seemed content to stay in her bubble and showed almost no reaction to success or failure or the crowd's attempts to lift her.

She and Garcia play with a similar style, serving solidly and often dropping to one knee to get as low as possible for their deep ground strokes, and there was little to differentiate them in the final set.

Serve dominated to such an extent that the first break point did not arrive until the 10th game, but when it did, Konta took full advantage as Garcia netted.

"It was such a tough match to play, she is in impressive form, it's hard to get any rhythm when she's serving so well and gets her first strike in," Konta said.

"I was happy that I was able to get enough returns in that final game.

"When I was a little girl, and even now, I dreamt of being in these battles and on the big stages."

Durie, who lost to Hanna Mandlikova in her 1984 quarter-final, tweeted her congratulations, saying: "Well done @JoKonta91 fab match & welcome to the Last 8 Club."

As for Halep, well, she is a serious operator. And she has already crushed one fairytale this week.

Simona Halep sent new mum Victoria Azarenka packing 7-6(3) 6-2 in the fourth round on Monday as a litany of second-set errors put paid to the Belarussian's dreams of a fairytale Wimbledon comeback.

Azarenka, playing in her second tournament after the birth of her son Leo in December, out-hit and out-thought the second-seeded Romanian for much of a pulsating first set, mixing deep groundstrokes with frequent dropshots and forays to the net.

But the two-times semi-finalist at the All England Club began to flag in the first-set tiebreak, losing it 7-3 before conceding the next five games.

A mini fightback pegged the second-set deficit back to 5-2 before another Azarenka backhand groundstroke error saw Halep home in just under 90 minutes, keeping alive the Romanian's hopes of a maiden grand slam victory and an ascent to the world number one ranking.

What are the odds?

• Konta:  5/6 

• Haelp: 11/10

Who will win?

You tell us: