Australian Open 2021: Karolina Muchova upsets top seed Ashleigh Barty to seal last four slot

Karolina Muchova stunned world No.1 and local favorite Ashleigh Barty to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal on Wednesday at the Australian Open.

The Czech Republic international who is currently ranked No. 27 in the world trailed 6-1 2-0 before staging a magnificent turnaround to win 1-6 6-3 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena.

The match hinged on a medical timeout, during which Muchova’s departure from the court led to a near 10-minute break in play.

Barty had been dominating until that point but when Muchova returned, the tone of the match completely changed.

Watch the highlights of the match below

“I started feeling a bit lost by the end of the first set. Ash started very good, she played almost like no mistakes, it was very tough. And I was a bit lost on the court, and my head was spinning (with dizziness) so I took a break,” explained Muchova, who won 12 of the final 15 games.

“They just checked my (blood) pressure because I was a bit lost, you know? I was spinning. So they cooled me down a bit with ice, and it helped me.

“(When I returned I) just tried to put a ball in and go for it. Played a bit faster, going to the net. I think that was the key by the end.”

Muchova will face American Jessica Pegula who defeated her compatriot Jennifer Brady for a place in the final.