210217 tennis
Czech Republic's Karolína Muchova after winning her quarter final match against Australia's Ashleigh Barty. Image Credit: AFP

Melbourne: Karolina Muchova staged a stunning comeback Thursday to upset Ashleigh Barty and storm into the Australian Open semi-finals, rallying from a set down to shatter the world number one’s dreams.

The Czech 25th seed looked on her way out after Barty demolished her in the opening set, but after a medical timeout Muchova returned a different player to win 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena as the Australian crumbled.

She will face either Jennifer Brady or Jessica Pegula, both American, for a place in the final.