Petra Kvitova ended hopes of a home Australian Open winner with a commanding 6-1 6-4 quarter-final victory over Ashleigh Barty.
The mightily impressive Czech continued her record of not dropping a set this tournament, with her exquisite movement and power enabling her to book a maiden last-four appearance in Melbourne.
Barty was aiming to become the first Australian woman to reach a singles semi-final since Wendy Turnbull in 1984, but was never able to gain a foothold in the match.
An emotional Kvitova was in tears during her on-court interview after the match and she can now focus on a first slam semi-final since she won Wimbledon in 2014, while it is the furthest she has gone in a major since returning from a knife attack in her home in December 2016.
"I didn't really imagine being back on this great stadium and playing with the best. It's great," Kvitova said.
"I started better, I served well, I took the first break. In the second she came back, she didn't give me anything for free and I really had to fight until the end."
Kvitova had Barty under pressure as early as the second game and the home star had already saved a couple of break points before putting a forehand wide to cede the first break.
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Barty was playing like the proverbial rabbit in the headlights, while the cool Kvitova was quick around the court and landing punishing winners.
It came as little surprise when a second break arrived, converted with an exquisite drop-shot, before Kvitova duly served out for the set.
Encouraged by a partisan Rod Laver Arena crowd, Barty settled and had Kvitova on the back foot with a couple of break points early in the second set.
But Kvitova stood firm and, after each player coasted through a couple of easy holds, took her opportunity with aplomb in game nine – putting away a clinical shot from mid-court to take control before breaking to 15.
Kvitova then served out at the first time of asking to book a last-four date with Danielle Collins.
![Barty-1086035764jpg Barty-1086035764jpg](/theme/images/ss-online/1x1_spacer.png)
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Kvitova (8) bt Barty (15) 6-1 6-4
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Kvitova - 25/24
Barty - 8/17
ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS
Kvitova - 3/2
Barty - 2/1
BREAK POINTS WON
Kvitova - 3/5
Barty - 0/3
FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE
Kvitova - 68
Barty - 78
PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE
Kvitova - 74/50
Barty - 54/60
TOTAL POINTS
Kvitova - 62
Barty - 46
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