Murray fells Ferrer

Andy Murray set up an Australian Open semifinal against the much-improved Milos Raonic on Wednesday when he weathered a fierce attack by David Ferrer on a day of rare success for Britain.

A thunderstorm proved an unlikely ally for Murray when it forced the Rod Laver Arena roof to be closed mid-match, helping him accelerate to a 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-3 win in the indoor conditions he enjoys.

Later Raonic, now working under former world number one Carlos Moya, continued his ascent with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Gael Monfils to reach the Australian semifinals for the first time.

Murray is into sixth Australian Open semifinal and 18th overall in the Grand Slams, as he attempts to go one better after finishing runner-up at four of the last six editions in Melbourne.

But this time, the world number three has British company in the final stages after Johanna Konta downed China's Zhang Shuai to become the first British woman to reach a Grand Slam semi since 1983.

It is the first time that two British singles players -- man or woman -- have featured in the last four at the same Grand Slam event since John Lloyd and Sue Barker at the 1977 Australian Open.

Angelique Kerber stunned two-time champion Victoria Azarenka for a last-four clash against Johanna Konta, the first British woman in a Grand Slam semifinal for 33 years.

The seventh-seeded Kerber, who had never gone beyond the fourth round at Melbourne Park before, blasted past the dangerous Azarenka 6-3, 7-5 in her first win against the Belarusian.

It was a huge upset for the German, whose six defeats against the 14th seed included this month's Brisbane International final and an epic three-hour marathon at last year's US Open.

Her reward is a clash with Konta, whose fairytale main-draw debut tournament continued when she outclassed giant-killing Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai 6-4, 6-1.

This time last year Konta was ranked 147 and fell in qualifying for Melbourne Park, but she has since risen 100 places, crediting her transformation with a new mental attitude.

 HIGHLIGHTS
- Murray weathers Ferrer assault to set up Raonic semifinal
- Kerber stuns Azarenka, will face Britain's Konta in semis
- Raonic beats Monfils to become first Canadian ever in last four
- Konta ends fairytale run of Chinese qualifier Zhang
- Britain has two Slam semifinalists for first time since 1977