Summary

  • Rafael Nadal wins in straight sets 6-3 6-4 6-2 to reach semi-finals

  • Second seed plays Stefanos Tsitsipas next, who beat Roberto Bautista Agut in four sets

  • Petra Kvitova beat home favourite Ashleigh Barty 6-1 6-4 - plays Danielle Collins next

Live Reporting

Amy Lofthouse

  1. Really difficult not to be pleased for Petra Kvitova. It's so good to see her back, playing her best tennis again.

    And what a run Ash Barty has had. That win over Sharapova was superb.

  2. Jill Craybas
    Former world number 39 on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    It's incredible what Kvitova has been through, what she has now achieved and the way she has come back. Not just physically, but mentally too.

  3. The last time Petra Kvitova was in a Grand Slam semi-final?

    Wimbledon 2014. She went on to win the title.

    KvitovaGetty Images

  4. And the women's top ranking will now change hands...

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  5. Kvitova 6-1 6-4 Barty

    Petra Kvitova is overcome by emotion as she gets a huge round of applause from the crowd as Jim Courier congratulates her on coming back from a "difficult time".

    Kvitova thought her tennis career was over after she was stabbed in her left hand in an attempted robbery at her home two years ago.

    She's come back, won titles on clay, hard courts and the grass, and now she's into a Slam semi-final.

    "I never imagined I'd be back on the stadium and playing with the best. It's great," she says.

  6. Gigi Salmon
    Radio 5 live sports extra tennis commentator at Melbourne Park

    The year is still bright for Ashleigh Barty.

  7. Kvitova 6-1 6-4 Barty

    Petra Kvitova, speaking to Jim Courier: "I'm sorry, guys! I beat Ashleigh! She's such a nice person and you should be very proud of her. She's great.

    "She didn't give me anything for free in the second set and I had to fight until the end."

  8. Gigi Salmon
    Radio 5 live sports extra tennis commentator at Melbourne Park

    Kvitova has been flawless through this Australian Open, she is yet to drop a set.

  9. game, set and match

    Game, set and match - Kvitova

    Kvitova 6-1 6-4 Barty

    Petra Kvitova is back in a Grand Slam semi-final!

    There's a huge, huge smile on Kvitova's face as she seals the match with her second serve.

    Nice moment at the net between two players, who have a hug before Ash Barty leaves the court to a standing ovation.

  10. *Kvitova 6-1 5-4 Barty

    Brilliant reactions from Ash Barty at the net, keeping out furious shot after furious shot from Kvitova, before the Czech's pass drifts long.

    An ace takes Kvitova to 30-15 but she errs on a Barty shank a second later.

    Smash winner from Kvitova! Here's match point.

  11. *Kvitova 6-1 5-4 Barty

    Here we go then.

    Petra Kvitova, serving for a place in the semi-finals.

    Petra KvitovaReuters

  12. David Law
    BBC Radio 5 live sports extra tennis commentator at Melbourne Park

    Barty has made a fight of it but, quite frankly, Kvitova has another gear. It's been irresistible tennis for the most part. She has popped the Australian balloon, which is deflating rather quickly.

  13. Kvitova breaks

    *Kvitova 6-1 5-4 Barty

    Serve and volley from Barty - and the volley is long!

    Petra Kvitova will serve for the match.

    Ashleigh BartyEPA

  14. Kvitova 6-1 4-4 Barty*

    Low backhand meets low backhand, and Kvitova bunts a backhand into the net post on the first point of Barty's service game.

    Now then. A stonking winner from Kvitova, and she's got herself two break points.

  15. Jill Craybas
    Former world number 39 on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Barty is serving better in this second set. Her placement has been better. Kvitova started the second set off with some unforced errors and that's allowing Barty more opportunity to get into the set.

  16. Kvitova 6-1 4-4 Barty*

    Terrific defence from Barty, dropping a slice down the line to get in control of a rally, and Kvitova's backhand breaks down.

    Huge winner from Kvitova down the line takes her to 40-30 and Barty crashes a backhand long. Hold.

  17. Gigi Salmon
    Radio 5 live sports extra tennis commentator at Melbourne Park

    Kvitova is almost like a gazelle across the court.

    Petra KvitovaReuters

  18. *Kvitova 6-1 3-4 Barty

    Lovely from Barty, taking charge of a rally by rushing the net, and she's ready and waiting to pop a volley winner over.

    Another drop shot doesn't go quite so well for Barty and Kvitova throws herself into a forehand winner for 40-30.

    Bosh. Ace from Barty down the T. She holds, and keeps her nose in front in this second set.

  19. David Law
    BBC Radio 5 live sports extra tennis commentator at Melbourne Park

    Tennis in Australia is akin to a goldfish bowl - they love it over here but the attention can become too much for younger players. That's why Ash Barty took some time out to play cricket in the Big Bash.

  20. Kvitova 6-1 3-3 Barty*

    Barty unfurls a drop shot to Kvitova's serve, but the Czech finds some extra mph to run to the net and get the ball.

    Barty's lob drops long for 40-0 and a blazing backhand from the Australian out wide doesn't clear the net.

    That's Kvitova's easiest service game for a while.

    Ashleigh BartyAFP