Britain's Johanna Konta plays a backhand return during her women's singles match against China's Zhang Shuai on day ten of the 2016 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 27, 2016. AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST-- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE / AFP / WILLIAM WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)

Unseeded Brit Johanna Konta has advanced to her first Grand Slam semifinal, after a commanding 6-4, 6-1 win over Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai.

Konta raced to a 5-2 lead in the opening set, before Zhang sent a minor scare through the world No.47, coming back to 5-4, before Konta managed to claim the set 6-4.

The second set was far more pedestrian, as she claimed it 6-1, however, she did need six match points to close it out.

Konta is the first British female player to reach a Grand Slam semifinal since 1983.

Konta will now face No.7 seed Angelique Kerber in the semifinal.