An emotional Petra Kvitova swept into her first Grand Slam semi-final Tuesday since a terrifying knife attack almost ended her career as the fairytale runs of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Danielle Collins continued at the Australian Open.
The Czech had not gone past the last eight at a major since a burglar slashed her left hand in December 2016, forcing her out of the game for six months and leaving her with lasting nerve damage in the fingers of her racquet hand.
But the eighth seed has bounced back and is on a sensational 10-match unbeaten streak after claiming the Sydney International warm-up title.
She proved too much for Ashleigh Barty, crushing the local hope 6-1, 6-4, and was in tears afterwards as she reflected on her long journey back to the top.
"Really, I didn't imagine to be back on this great stadium and play with the best," the two-time Wimbledon champion said.
"It's great."
"This time last year I was playing a challenger (tournament) in Newport Beach. But, yeah, I think I'm really embracing it. It makes it a lot easier when you play in front of great fans and really good energy."
- Living the dream -
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"I feel a bit emotional but not too much -- I know I really worked hard to get here, playing in semis of a Grand Slam."
"But here I think Rafa and Novak are my favourites."
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