LONDON - Johanna Konta's thrilling Wimbledon quarter-final victory over Simona Halep ended in controversy on Tuesday when a fan screamed out on match point, causing the Romanian to check her stride and shot.
Just as Halep went into her wind-up on a forehand to stay in the tie, a woman's loud, piercing scream echoed around Centre Court, the sound amplified to dramatic effect by the closed roof.
Halep was obviously distracted by the call and looked to umpire Kader Nouni to rule the point to be replayed.
But no call was forthcoming and Konta too looked bemused as she walked to the net after her 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 win, which made her the first British woman to reach the semi-finals in 39 years.
"It was a woman on my end who screamed. I think she got over-excited about the deep ball that Simona hit. It was actually as I was hitting my ball, so I think it more affected me than my opponent," insisted Konta.
"I think the fans were a little over-enthusiastic in parts. But I definitely cannot complain with the amount of support and general good feelings that they were wishing my way."
Supporters in the 15,000-seater Centre Court roared on home favourite Konta throughout the match.
Konta became the first British woman to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals for 39 years as the world number seven fought back to beat Halep.
The 26-year-old, who has never reached a Grand Slam final, faces five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams in the semi-finals on Thursday.
Halep's defeat means Czech Karolina Pliskova, who lost in the Wimbledon second round, will replace Angelique Kerber on top of the WTA rankings.
"It's been 39 years since a British woman can say they're a #Wimbledon semi-finalist" @JoKonta91 has done it... pic.twitter.com/xPMI1UxSv4