Czech Muchova upsets home favourite Barty
CZECH Karolina Muchova rallied from a set and a break down to upset world number one Ash Barty 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday for a place in the Australian Open semi-finals.
The 25th-seeded Muchova took a long medical time-out early in the second set, saying later she felt dizzy. She was a different player from then on as she ended Barty’s dream of getting a first Australian woman’s title since 1978 in Melbourne.
Munchova next meets American Jennifer Brady who pulled off her own comeback, defeating compatriot Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
Home hope and 2019 French Open champion Barty looked set to cruise into her second straight semi at Melbourne Park after going 2-0 up in the second set against Muchova, having taken the first in just 24 minutes.
However, the momentum was flipped on its head after Muchova took a medical timeout after the third game. The break lasted almost 10 minutes and from then on Barty only won three more games as Muchova wrapped up matters with an ace.
“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 so I took a break, and it helped me,” Muchova said in her post-match on-court interview.
“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,” the Czech added.
Asked about what switched after the break, Muchova said that she “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.” Barty was diplomatic when repeatedly asked about the timeout in her post match press conference.
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. 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. Karolina Muchova
“I didn’t hear what she said when she called for the trainer. That’s not my decision. When you call for the trainer, you obviously tell the umpire what the reason is,” the Australian 24-year-old said.
“That’s within the rules. For me, that’s not really my decision and not my concern what she took the medical for.” Muchova will next face Brady in an unexpected semifinal, with Muchova in the last four for the first time while Brady is in back-to-back semis following last year’s US Open.
“I think they’re separate entities. But it definitely helps, just helps overall confidence. Really just knowing that I belong at this level, I can compete in the second week of Grand Slams consistently, and hope to continue to do that consistently,” Brady said.