ANDY MURRAY hailed a brilliant day for British tennis after he joined compatriot Johanna Konta in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

Murray beat Spain's David Ferrer 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-3 to reach the men's last four after Konta had earlier knocked out Chinese qualifier Shuai Zhang in the women's quarter-finals.

Andy's brother Jamie had already made it into the semi-finals of the men's doubles alongside Brazilian Bruno Soares on Tuesday, while in the wheelchair singles Britain's Gordon Reid enjoyed a stunning victory against Japan's Shingo Kunieda, the eight-time champion and top seed.

It is the first time in 39 years that Britain has boasted a semi-finalist in both the men and women's singles at a Grand Slam, after Sue Barker and John Lloyd achieved the feat at the Australian Open in 1977.

Britain has not had representatives in the last four of three different events at a major tournament since 1935.

"It's really, really good for tennis on the back of the end of last year with the Davis Cup as well, it's extremely positive, we've just got to try and capitalise on it," said Murray, who will face 13th seed Milos Raonic in the last four.

"What's happened with Jo (Konta) I think has come as a surprise to everyone. The rise she's made over the last nine or 10 months has been fantastic.

"It's pretty good for us to have people competing in almost all of the competitions. Unfortunately Jamie lost in the mixed today, but Gordon Reid had a great win as well today against the number one in the world who they told me has only lost like once here in the last 10 years.

"So, yeah, it's been a good Australian Open so far. Hopefully we can keep it going.

"It as well shows that anything is possible having the right people around you and the right attitude and the right work ethic."

Ferrer came into the match as the only man in the draw not to have dropped a set but the 33-year-old was outclassed by Murray's attacking prowess, particularly after the roof was closed in the third set following some nearby thunder and lightning.

"I think today was probably the best match I played, especially in the second and third set," Murray said.

"I started hitting the ball better from the back of the court. The start of the tournament was good.

"Obviously the last few days have been tough and maybe I hadn't played my best tennis but I managed to get through."

Meanwhile, Raonic wants to lay to rest the ghost of his last grand slam semi-final exit at Wimbledon in 2014 by beating Murray at the Australian Open.

The pair will meet for the seventh time in their careers tomorrow.

The current head-to-head record stands at three wins each but Murray has more experience of the big occasion as he makes his 18th semi-final appearance against Raonic's second.

The big-serving Canadian's last semi-final saw him beaten in straight sets by Roger Federer on grass two years ago and he has not managed to repeat the feat since, in part due to an injury-affected season last year.

Considered one of the players capable of breaking into the established elite, Raonic says he feels ready to make his first major final.

"It's a very positive thing if you look at the big picture," Raonic said. "Right now in this moment alone it's a great opportunity for me. I had a little bit of a disappointing semi-final two years ago now.

"I just want to change that story around and give myself another go with more experience and where I feel like I'm a better player than I was two years ago."