Johanna Konta of Britain upset top-seeded Simona Halep 6-3 3-6 7-5 to advance to the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open on Wednesday.

Sydney-born Konta, who came into the Wuhan tournament ranked 66th in the world, stormed back to win the last six games of the third set, having trailed 5-1, and will now face Venus Williams in the quarter-finals.

“It was two hours and 17 minutes of very, very tough tennis for me,” Konta said.

“Simona really played some unbelievable tennis in parts – she may not be feeling her best – but I’m just really happy I was able to take a few of the chances I created.”

Williams hit five aces and saved three of four break points to see off Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain 6-3 6-4.

“I had some luck because I think she missed a few shots today, and it gave me some openings,” Williams said.

Williams and Konta will be facing each other for the first time.

In the day’s first upset, Roberta Vinci beat defending champion and third-seeded Petra Kvitova 7-6 (3), 6-2.

The 15th-seeded Italian saved five of seven break points and next faces eighth-seeded Karolina Pliskova, who defeated Elina Svitolina 2-6 6-4 6-4.

“Against Petra it’s always tough to play,” Vinci said.

“She’s an incredible player, she won last year here. But I played a really good match. She played so well the first few games so I tried not to think about this and focus.”

Also, fifth-seeded Garbine Muguruza rallied to beat ninth-seeded Ana Ivanovic 4-6 6-, 6-0.

Muguruza will next face Anna Karolina Schmiedlova who beat Kristina Mladenovic 6-4 6-2.