Tennis news - Petra Kvitova ends Danielle Collins' dream run and reach Australian Open final

The unseeded Collins had never won a Grand Slam match going into the tournament, but having shocked second seed Angelique Kerber on her way to the semi-finals, the American was no match for the two-time Wimbledon champion.

Kvitova, who could become the world No 1 on Monday, will face Naomi Osaka in what will be the 28-year-old’s first Grand Slam final since returning from a career-threatening hand injury after she was attacked with a knife at her home in December 2016.

“It means everything,” Kvitova said. “I have worked very hard to be in the final of a major tournament. Finally I could make it deep into a major. I will really enjoy the final, whatever happens, I’m very happy.”

The pair’s only prior meeting came earlier this month, with Kvitova prevailing in a three-hour, three-set marathon in the first round of the Brisbane Open, and the first set in Melbourne suggested this encounter would be equally as gruelling.

Collins showed no signs of nerves in what was comfortably the biggest match of her career – she was playing a challenger in Newport Beach this time 12 months ago – as she broke her Czech opponent to take the early initiative.

However, the break sparked Kvitova into life, as she immediately broke back before the sizzling heat led to the roof being closed with score at 4-4.

Having served first, Kvitova kept her nose in front after the break in play, but Collins held her nerve when twice serving to stay in the set to force the breaker, which Kvitova raced through after dropping just two points.

A malfunctioning net cord sensor proved a frustration for Collins in the first game of the second set, as she contended Carlos Ramos’ decision to replay a point before Kvitova eventually broke the aggrieved American.

A wound-up Collins failed to rediscover the form which had guided her into the semis, with Kvitova relentlessly powering through the remainder of the set to bagel her opponent.