There’s no stopping Magda Linette at the Australian Open! On Wednesday morning, the Pole needed less than one hour and a half to validate her ticket for the final four in Melbourne against Karolina Pliskova (6-3; 7-5). 

https://twitter.com/MagdaLinette/status/1618074050898841600

As former world number one, the Czech was viewed as the favourite to stay in the tournament. But she got to face a confident opponent, who, in the absence of Iga Świątek, is making a whole nation proud. 

Although it was not really one-sided, the first set was under the Pole’s control. After having broken, she did not allow the tide to turn back and took the lead (6-3).  

https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1618061791950671873

The actual fight was just about to start. Indeed, the second set lasted for nearly an hour and was a tough physical and mental clash. Pliskova kept believing until 5-5. But once the Polish champion broke at that crucial moment, there was simply no turning back. 

Magda Linette is having the Grand Slam of her life. Never before did she reach such an advanced stage of the competition in any of the four majors. She also became the third Polish woman – after Agnieszka Radwańska and Iga Świątek – to reach the semis in Melbourne.

https://twitter.com/wwos/status/1618066026670837761

On Thursday morning, Linette will face the Belorussian Aryna Sabalenka for a place in the final. 

Image: Twitter (@AustralianOpen)

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen