The Barty Party has been cut short courtesy of Karolina Muchova on Rod Laver Arena. After Barty dominated the first set, Muchova took a medical timeout. Upon returning from the nearly 8-minute timeout, the World No. 27 dominated the Aussie, closing the match out 1-6, 6-3, 6-2.
“I was lost at the end of the first set, my head was spinning so I took a break and it helped me,” Muchova said during her on-court interview.
The medical timeout made for two separate matches in a way. Barty dominated the first half, but upon the return to play, Muchova completely controlled the tempo and subsequently the match.
“I tried to get back, played a bit faster rally so we don't play those long ones [like] in the first set, and it worked well,"Muchova told Jim Courier.
Muchova was a lot more aggressive on court and evidently Barty’s unforced errors also increased dramatically.
"Just try to put the ball in and go for it, play a bit faster, going to the net. I think that was the key by the end."
The win was not without criticism. Tennis fans on social media have said the medical timeout was not in the spirit of the game. One twitter user stated that “the medical timeout turned this match on its head,” as it was more to cool Muchova down with ice, rather than to treat an actual injury.
Muchova will now face the winner of Jennifer Brady and Jessica Pegula, meaning one player in the final will be a player outside the top 20.