World No. 1 Barty out of Aussie Open, Medvedev cruises to semis

Melbourne, Australia, Feb 17 (efe-epa).- Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova stunned world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty on Wednesday at the Australian Open quarterfinals after a miraculous 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 comeback after receiving medical attention over some slight dizziness.

“She played flawlessly in the first set and I was a bit lost. The doctors have taken my blood pressure because I was a bit out, “she said after defeating the Australian in a clash that lasted nearly two hours.

Muchova completed an unlikely comeback by stopping a rival who played flawless tennis during a first set in which she only committed six unforced errors, while the No. 25 seed only landed one winner.

American Jennifer Brady also conceded the first to beat her compatriot Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, and will face Muchova in the semifinals.

“I hope I have the habit of reaching the finals and not the semi-finals. Very happy for the tournament you have played, I am sure we will have tough battles in the future. She is a great friend,” she said about Pegula after a match that lasted an hour and 40 minutes.

In the men’s draw, Russia’s Daniil Medvedev exhausted his compatriot Andrey Rublev in a brilliant match and comfortable 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 victory to make the Australian Open semi-finals for the first time.

“Good thing I was able to resolve the situation after finishing the game with cramps in my leg. It is difficult on days like today when it is so hot. After long rallies it is even difficult to breathe,” the winner said after a crash that lasted just over two hours.

Rublev almost retired at some stages in the second set as despair caused by the solidity of an impassive Medvedev on a sunny afternoon in Melbourne, in which temperatures reached 30 degrees. EFE-EPA

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