Having played the unwitting role of villain in her Australian Open quarter-final demolition job on Ashleigh Barty, Czech comeback queen Petra Kvitova will revert to the status of sentimental favourite at Melbourne Park.
The two-time Wimbledon champ was in imperious form as she swept Australia's last hope out of the tournament on Tuesday night before a stunned capacity crowd on Rod Laver Arena.
Kvitova's reward is a semi-final date with unheralded American Danielle Collins, who has beaten three seeds including world No.2 Angelique Kerber en route to the last four.
It's the first time Kvitova has advanced this far at a major since being stabbed in a home invasion in late 2016, requiring surgery to repair severe tendon and nerve injuries to her left hand.
"I always wanted to come back and play on the highest level I can, compete with the best, play the grand slams, actually be very deep in grand slams, which is happening," said the 28-year-old.
"It was happy tears, for sure," she said of her emotional win over Barty.
Having spent five months on the sidelines in 2017 recovering physically and mentally from the injuries suffered in the home invasion, it feels different for Kvitova being in the semis of a slam this time around.
"I'm calling it as my second career - so it's the first semi-final of the second career," she said.
"It took me a while for sure.
"I never really played so well in the grand slams (post-2016) so I'm happy this time it's different.
"I'm really enjoying it."
Collins is also getting plenty of enjoyment out of the best tournament of her career.
The 25-year-old arrived in Melbourne having lost all five of her previous matches at majors, a record that has now been turned on its head.
"I'm playing really good tennis," said the former collegiate star.
"I've put in a lot of hard work.
"When I lost at the French Open, I played (Caroline) Wozniacki. When I lost at Wimbledon, I played (Elise) Mertens. When I lost at the US Open, I played (Aryna) Sabalenka.
"I lost to some really good players and I did everything I could those days.
"I've gained more experience in the last year, which is great.
"But I don't think much has really changed. I'm just getting a little bit different outcome."
The pair's only previous meeting came in the opening round of the Brisbane International earlier this month, with Kvitova prevailing in three tight sets.
