Johanna Konta has shown the way for British tennis hopefuls with her history-making run in the Australian Open.

That was the message from Brighton-based former professional Julie Pullin as the Eastbourne star prepared to tackle her semi-final today.

Konta was due on court in Melbourne with German No.7 seed Angelique Kleber in the early hours of this morning.

But Pullin, head coach at Pavilion and Avenue Tennis Club, believes she has already pointed the way for her compatriots.

She told The Argus: “Johanna has worked incredibly hard on the areas of the game she needed to, she has taken it to another level and then she has taken her chances this week.

“It would not have taken much for her to have not quite won that match against Ekaterina Makarova.

“It comes down to a few points here and there but she has worked so hard to give herself the best opportunity.

“I think that is the message our players will go away and look at.

“If she can do it, why can’t we if we put in that extra little but and I think that is what everyone is striving for.”

Konta beat Zhang Shuai from China 6-4 6-1 in the quarter-finals yesterday and had no complaints about being out on court again 24 hours later.

She said: “I’m fine. Whatever comes, I’m enjoying it.”