Johanna Konta gave Great Britain a first women's singles semi-finalist at Wimbledon for 39 years with victory over Simona Halep.

Konta was two points away from defeat in the second-set tie-break but fought back to win 6-7 (2/7) 7-6 (7/5) 6-4, in the process denying Halep the world number one ranking.

Victory would have guaranteed the Romanian top spot for the first time but instead it will be Czech Karolina Pliskova who takes over from Angelique Kerber despite losing in the second round.

Konta will contest her second grand slam semi-final when she faces Venus Williams on Thursday, after becoming the first home woman since Virginia Wade in 1978 to win a singles quarter-final at the All England Club.

Williams ended the winning run of French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko at 11 grand slam matches with a 6-3 7-5 victory.

At 37, the five-time champion is the oldest semi-finalist at Wimbledon since Martina Navratilova in 1994.

The other semi-final will pit 2016 French Open champion Garbine Muguruza against surprise package Magdalena Rybarikova.

Muguruza moved one step closer to winning her second grand slam title by beating Svetlana Kuznetsova.

The Spaniard was a runner-up at the All England Club in 2015 but looks primed to go one better this year after easing past the experienced Kuznetsova 6-3 6-4.

Kuznetsova enjoyed strong starts in both sets but failed to capitalise and it was Muguruza's superior serving and movement that proved decisive on Court One.

"I'm very happy and very pleased also with this match, because obviously Kuznetsova is a very tough opponent," Muguruza said. "We all know she has been and is a great player. I managed to play a good level during all the match. I earned the victory."

Rybarikova becomes the latest outsider to make a run to the last four of a slam, with the world number 87 defeating Coco Vandeweghe 6-3 6-3.

The Slovakian upset title favourite Pliskova in round two and has kept her remarkable run going.

She was in control of the match at a set and 2-2 when heavy rain prevented any further play on Court One.

The pair moved under the roof on Centre Court to complete the contest but it did not disrupt Rybarikova's momentum.