MELBOURNE—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 semifinal.
The 24-year-old will meet the winner of the later quarterfinal 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…
Keep on reading: No Ash Wednesday celebration as Barty bid ends in quarters