MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) – Andy Murray set up an Australian Open semi-final against the much-improved Milos Raonic yesterday 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 semi-finals for the first time.

Murray is into his sixth Australian Open semi-final 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.

Adding further lustre to the British day to remember, Murray’s brother Jamie reached the men’s doubles semi-finals with his Brazilian partner Bruno Soares.

Murray said it was a special time for British tennis after he also led his country to Davis Cup glory against Belgium in November – the first time they have won the teams tournament since 1936.

Ferrer proved a difficult proposition for Murray, relentlessly slugging it out from the baseline and keeping the Scot working hard in a physically demanding match.

Murray appeared to benefit in the change to the slower court conditions when the roof was closed on Rod Laver Arena in the third set, ahead of an approaching thunderstorm.

In the evening match, Raonic proved too good for Monfils as he became the first Canadian to reach the semi-finals, in what will be only his second appearance in a Grand Slam last four after Wimbledon 2014.

The newly composed and purposeful power-server extended his unbeaten run this year to nine matches, and has not lost at tour level since going down to Rafael Nadal in the third round at Shanghai in October.