LONDON (Reuters) - British fifth seed Johanna Konta has pulled out of her Aegon International semi-final against Karolina Pliskova in Eastbourne after suffering a thoracic spine injury, British Tennis confirmed on Friday.

Konta is the main home hope in the women's draw at Wimbledon next week but the 26-year-old slipped and fell heavily on her back during her 6-3, 6-4 quarter-final victory over world No. 1 Angelique Kerber on Thursday.

The walkover allows third seed Pliskova to advance to the final, where she will meet the winner of the other semi-final between Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki and Briton Heather Watson.

Konta also overcame French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in a three-set tussle earlier on Thursday. The Australia-born Briton is aiming to become the first home player to win the women's singles title at Wimbledon since Virginia Wade in 1977.