Magda Linette continued her dream run at the Australian Open by beating Karolina Pliskova to reach the semi-finals in Melbourne.
The Polish world number 45 had never passed the third round of a Grand Slam in 29 attempts.
But she produced a fearless display in a 6-3 7-5 win over two-time Czech finalist Pliskova on Rod Laver Arena.
Linette, 30, will face Belarusian fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka or Croatian Donna Vekic for a place in Saturday’s final.
Sabalenka and Vekic, both playing in their first Australian Open quarter-finals, meet at 02:00 GMT.
“I’m so moved. I can’t really believe it. It really is a dream come true. I’m super grateful and happy,” Linette said.
“I will never forget it. It will stay with me for life.”
Linette’s dream run in Melbourne continues
Many would have predicted that Poland would be represented in the later stages of the women’s draw, given the form of world number one Iga Swiatek.
But as Swiatek’s bid ended in the fourth round, Linette’s best Grand Slam run extended to a fifth win at Melbourne Park as she knocked out former world number one Pliskova.
Well supported on the main show court, the inflexible Linette recovered from a break in the first game of the match to take control of the set, winning five of the next six matches.
Her lack of experience in the second week of a Slam went undetected as she saved a break point before serving the set, with Pliskova throwing her racket aside in frustration after losing her first set of the tournament .
After beating world number four Caroline Garcia on her march to the last eight, Linette’s confidence was evident against a misfiring Pliskova.
After saving two break points at 2-1 in the second set, the Pole created three chances in the fifth and seventh games as she looked for the decisive blow.
With Pliskova increasingly troubled by a wrist injury, Linette was finally able to capitalize on a break opportunity before picking up the biggest victory of her career.
