Barty bid ends in quarters

Thursday, 18 February 2021 03:29 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Karolina Muchova

Ashleigh Barty

MELBOURNE (Reuters): World number one Ash Barty’s dream of become the first homegrown Australian Open champion since 1978 was shattered on Wednesday after an extraordinary 1-6 6-3 6-2 quarter-final loss to Karolina Muchova.

The Czech was a player transformed after taking a medical timeout when she started feeling dizzy in the Melbourne heat and rallied to secure a place in her first Grand Slam semi-final.

The 24-year-old will meet the winner of the later quarter-final between Americans Jennifer Brady and Jessica Pegula for a place in the final against Serena Williams or Naomi Osaka.

Barty had no complaints about the medical timeout that turned the match on its head.

“It’s within the rules,” Barty said. “She’s within her rights to take that time. If she wasn’t within the rules, the physios and the doctors would have said so.

“I was disappointed that I let that become a turning point. I’m experienced enough now to be able to deal with that.”