The intensity has risen, the quality improved. Konta's mind has taken her back to a tennis court in Eastbourne, no-one's watching, nothing's on the line. 

Kerber's forehand faltering, allowing Konta to sneak to 15-30. The seventh seed in trouble... Konta chasing every ball, her backhand causing her opponent problems, and Kerber nets - break point Konta. 

Kerber failing to negotiate the barrier once again and the British number one has battled back into this set. 

The spectators rooting for the Australian-born British number one. Konta now oozing confidence, hitting with freedom and accuracy. Nerves? What nerves. A hold to 15 and a tasty contest is now unfolding. 

On this display, neither will be a match for Serena Williams in the final if the top seed plays with the ferocity she did in the first set of her semi-final. But that's another match on another day. 

At deuce, Konta produces a dreamy backhand crosscourt winner to earn a break point, but follows up by ballooning the return. 

The British number one flicks on the switch though, the backhand now purring, and she grabs the break with a natty overhead. 

Image source, Getty Images

Konta telling herself it's just another match, but her tentative start suggests her mind can't quite forget about the enormity of the occasion. 

An ill-timed volley into the tramlines indicates the holder of the racquet is very nervous indeed. 

An adrenalised backhand drifts wide, presenting Kerber with two break points. The German has done little to impress, but the British number one's unforced errors - nine so far - have given her a handsome lead. 

Leon Smith
Great Britain Davis Cup captain

"Jo's just got to settle in and it's definitely important she holds serve here - she doesn't want to give away a double break, but just stay in touch with Kerber."

Nerves playing havoc with Kerber's game too despite this being her third Grand Slam semi-final. 

A double fault and the British number one is 0-30 up, but the German reins her opponent in - Konta playing aggressively, going for the winners, but trading power for accuracy. 

It's the right tactic to use, however, as a forehand winner into the corner earns Konta a break point, though Kerber saves with a forehand winner down the line. 

The seventh seed pulls through, but at least Konta is getting chances. 

Image source, Getty Images

Konta's rise up the rankings has been much talked about, but it's worth repeating. This time last year she was 144 in the world, but after an astonishing 12 months she is on course to enter the top 30. 

The Briton makes a nervy start, understandably so as she is not familiar with performing on such a grand stage. 

Kerber, the seventh seed, has three break points. A swashbuckling forehand winner wipes out one of them, a wayward return erases the next... another clean forehand winner and parity is restored at deuce. 

The British number one gifts Kerber a fourth break point, however, and she crumbles, netting to give Kerber an early advantage. 

Are we getting ahead of ourselves by talking about Britons reaching the final? Johanna Konta is keeping the dream alive in the women's side of the draw, Andy Murray doing the same in the men's singles. 

Fred Perry and Dorothy Round were the last Britons to do it. 

Image source, .

What to do when you've increased your career earnings by more than 50% by reaching your first Grand Slam semi-final? Perhaps it's not right to talk about such things but whatever happens today, Konta will return to Eastbourne with her bank account bubbling. 

Her remarkable fortnight in Melbourne has brought rewards both on and off the court. 

Image source, .

BBC Radio 5 Live

If you need more than the written word to sate you in such circumstances, there's good news because you can hear the ping of every stroke on BBC Radio 5 live as Russell Fuller and co will bring us live coverage of Johanna Konta's semi-final against Angelique Kerber. 

The pair are warming up, so to listen to Russell and his merry crew simply click the 'live coverage' tab on this page. 

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Where are you watching as Johanna Konta aims to become the first British woman to reach a Grand Slam final since Virginia Wade won Wimbledon in 1977. 

Get involved by tweeting #bbctennis

You've probably not heard but there's a British woman in the Australian Open semi-finals and she's called Johanna Konta. She's apparently the female version of Jason Bourne, which must be really great. 

There hasn't been a British woman in the Aussie Open semi-finals since 1977 so it's been quite a wait so it's no surprise that the 24-year-old has been on the back pages, headlining sports bulletins and is fast becoming a household name. 

Image source, Getty Images

Talking about her opponent Agnieszka Radwanska, Williams says: "She started playing really well in the second set, hitting really deep, and I had to figure out something and then I just started playing aggressive again, doing what I'd been doing all week, and it kind of worked out."   

"I'm really excited to be in another final," says a smiling Serena Williams. 

"It kind of blows my mind right now. I just try to play the best I can and I can't believe I'm in the final. Physically, I'm feeling a lot better. Mentally I needed that break after the US Open. 

"I just feel so good. I didn't feel I'd do so well this fast."

Williams made just three unforced errors in the first set, the tally is already up to 16 in the second. The world number one still able to punish Radwanska's tame second serve, a fearsome backhand winner for 15-15, but the American is getting fewer opportunities to do so. 

Can a 21-time Grand Slam champion who won the first set 6-0 be nervous? Williams answers by battering a backhand return crosscourt to drag the game to deuce. 

The top seed is given time to step forward and smash an overhead beyond her rival for a break point and Radwanska crumbles. Williams to serve for the match. 

Williams still gifting Radwanska easy points, an ugly backhand into the tramlines for 30-15, but the American's serve is a reliable weapon, a fifth ace for 40-15 and it's a relatively easy hold for the defending champ. 

Williams isn't the formidable opponent she was in the first set. Radwanska beginning to slice and dice, a cute dropper sets the Pole up for a tasty backhand volley for 15-15. The Spectators whistle in approval. 

The world number one is still capable of hitting thunderous winners, of course, but the power and accuracy isn't what it was. 

But even when a few percentages below her best, Williams gathers a break point - a fabulous overhead which is greeted with a loud roar. 

Radwanska has some fire in her belly now, though, and she saves it. 

Deuce. Advantage. Deuce. Williams caught in no man's land, paying the price for a dodgy volley, and even the world number one taps her racquet as the Pole comes away with the point. A double fault from Radwanska and we're back at deuce. 

Williams' forehand faltering, however, and the Pole nips ahead. Ten of the top seed's 14 unforced errors have come in this set.