Nobody need tell Petra Kvitova or Danielle Collins that they should keep their Australian Open semi-final clash in perspective. The Czech, 28, is two years on from being the victim of a knife attack in her own apartment that badly damaged her playing hand and threatened her whole career. Collins, the little-known American college graduate who she now faces, has seen a little more of life than your average tennis player. She is also a lover of dogs and owns a German Shepherd, a Boxer Jack Russell and a Boxer Pug. Kvitova came through after halting Australia's Ashleigh Barty 6-1, 6-4, and became tearful on court when asked what making her first Grand Slam semi-final since the attack meant to her. Later, the twice Wimbledon champion elaborated by saying: 'I'm calling it as my second career. I always wanted to come back and compete with the best, play the Grand Slams, actually be very deep in the tournament, which is happening. It was happy tears for sure.' Petra Kvitova produced a ruthless display to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open The Czech is in fine form as she took apart local favourite Ashleigh Barty in straight sets It is the first time she has got this far in a major since winning at SW19 in 2014. Meanwhile, her semi-final opponent was playing in an obscure tournament near Los Angeles this time last year - a world away from the closing stages of the Australian Open. Now Collins, 25, is in the last four after a startling rise, made all the more remarkable by the fact that 10 days ago she had never won a match in a major. In what was her first match on Rod Laver Arena, she fought back to defeat Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 in the quarter-finals. It added to her destruction of Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber in the previous round. There are not many players around with Collins' c.v., which includes having a media studies degree from the University of Virginia, where she wrote a screenplay about deaf American footballer Derrick Coleman of the Arizona Cardinals. American Danielle Collins celebrates after reaching the Australian Open semi-finals Collins appears stunned after seeing off Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in three sets on Tuesday The pair shake hands at Melbourne Park after Collins fought back in style from a set down 'I think going to college helped me develop as a person,' said Collins (left), who has her own jewellery line. 'Not being a child prodigy, not being a superstar at a young age certainly humbled me, made me in a way work harder for things. 'I'm able to relax a little bit more than some people because they've just done tennis their whole life and haven't ventured out much.' Overnight the second group of quarter-finals were due to be played, with Naomi Osaka taking on Elina Svitolina and Serena Williams facing No 7 seed Karolina Pliskova. A self-confessed dog lover, Collins has seen her stock rise since the early days in Florida<doc-sep>Last updated on .From the section Tennis Petra Kvitova suffered serious injuries to her dominant left hand in the knife attack in 2016 - she later said she was lucky to be alive following the incident Australian Open 2019 Venue: Melbourne Park Dates: 14-27 January Coverage: Daily live commentaries on the BBC Sport website, listen to Tennis Breakfast daily from 07:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and watch highlights on BBC TV and online. A tearful Petra Kvitova says she did not expect to be "playing with the best" again after reaching her first Grand Slam semi-final since being stabbed in a knife attack. The Czech, 28, won 6-1 6-4 against home favourite Ashleigh Barty at the Australian Open. The eighth seed suffered a serious hand injury when attacked in her home in December 2016. "It wasn't easy to see myself in a semi-final after everything," she said. "I'm calling it my second career. So it's the first semi-final of the second career." The two-time Wimbledon champion, who has not reached a major semi-final since winning the SW19 title in 2014, overpowered the smaller Barty in a 27-minute first set. Barty, 22, provided resistance in the second, Kvitova saving two break points before taking the last three games. She will play unseeded Danielle Collins in the last four on Thursday after the American beat Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 2-6 7-5 6-1 to reach her first major semi-final. Petra Kvitova 'had flashbacks' after knife attack Kvitova's victory also means Simona Halep, who lost to Serena Williams on Monday, will see her 48-week reign as world number one end. Kvitova is currently projected to take over from Halep, although Naomi Osaka, Elina Svitolina or Karolina Pliskova could also still claim the top spot if they continue their progress in Melbourne. "I don't think there's any room here to think about that now," Kvitova said, "The next match - playing Danielle in the semi-final - that's what matters right now." 'Fortunate to be alive' Kvitova's remarkable return continues Kvitova required surgery on her left hand, which she plays with, after being attacked in a robbery at her home in December 2016. The former world number two admitted she was "fortunate to be alive" and her return to the top end of the game has been one of the sport's most heartwarming stories. She remarkably reached the 2017 US Open quarter-finals, nine months after the attack, but has now gone one stage further. The 6ft-tall Czech landed 78% of her first serves, winning 71% of these points, and cracked 12 winners as she raced to the first set. That helped somewhat quieten an enthusiastic and colourful home crowd, although they were buoyed again in the second set as Barty fought back. The Queenslander was bidding to become the first Australian to reach the last four since Wendy Turnbull 35 years ago and possibly emulating Chris O'Neill's achievement in 1978 by winning the women's singles. But Barty, who lost to Kvitova in the Sydney final earlier this month after winning the first set, was unable to capitalise on two break points and ultimately paid the price. Kvitova saved a break point in the second game with a 105mph ace, then fought off another in the fourth with a vicious cross-court smash. "I'm sorry guys - I beat Ashley," Kvitova joked in her on-court interview. "I started better than the final in Sydney, I served well took the first break. "In the second she didn't give me anything for free and I had to fight until the end." Unseeded Collins on a roll Danielle Collins is ranked 35 in the world Danielle Collins reached the semi-finals, having never won a Grand Slam main draw singles match prior to the tournament. The American, 25, beat unseeded Pavlyuchenkova in two hours and 16 minutes. Collins broke twice in the second set and won seven games in a row as she raced through the decider. "It was my first time playing on Rod Laver and I didn't even practise on here before so it was quite the experience," said Collins. "I absolutely loved it." It was a feisty match from the start as the opening two games lasted 22 minutes and saw seven break points - including five which Collins could not take. Collins, who knocked out world number two Angelique Kerber in the fourth round for the loss of just two games, was vocal throughout and showed plenty of emotion on court. Pavlyuchenkova's experience of four previous Grand Slam quarter-finals was evident in the first set as she remained calm and held off Collins' early pressure. The Russian, who beat 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens in a mammoth fourth-round tie that went on until 01:53 local time, fought back from 5-2 down in the second set to 5-5. But she had the stuffing knocked out of her when Collins broke again to level the match. The American was full of momentum and went on to break twice in the final set, while Pavlyuchenkova won only nine points on her serve in the decider. Collins could not convert a match point at 5-0 and was made to work in her last service game before she eventually secured victory on her third match point.<doc-sep>Who will reach the final? (Picture: Getty/Metro) There will be a brand new Australian Open women’s singles champion in 2019, with none of the four remaining players having even reached the final. Petra Kvitova is the only player left in the draw to have reached this stage at Melbourne Park, although Naomi Osaka and Karolina Pliskova have experienced a Grand Slam final outside of Australia. Osaka famously defeated Serena Williams to win the US Open last year, while Pliskova was a losing finalist in New York back in 2016. But for Danielle Collins, who had never won a Grand Slam match prior to this event, these are pastures new. For the three more experienced stars, the world No. 1 ranking is also on the line, with current incumbant Simona Halep set to drop to at least world No. 3. Here we take a look at the two semi-final matches and offer a prediction as to who will reach the final: Petra Kvitova v Danielle Collins (2pm local time/3am UK time) Kvitova has been in great form (Picture: Getty Images) Kvitova has been in terrific form at this event and is the only woman left in the draw who hasn’t dropped a single set. Her blistering ball striking against Ash Barty in the quarter-finals was particularly impressive and if she keeps seeing the ball so well she will be tough to stop. Collins, however, has produced some impressive results, taking out seeds Julia Goerges, Caroline Garcia and, most impressively, Angelique Kerber while fighting back from a set down twice. Kvitova v Collins Current ranking Kvitova: 6 Collins: 35 Best Grand Slam result Kvitova: Champion (Wimbledon 2011, 2014) Collins: Semi-final (Australian Open 2019) Head-to-head Kvitova 1-0 Collins Kvitova route to semi-finals R1: 6-3 6-2 Rybarikova R2: 6-1 6-3 Begu R3: 6-1 6-4 Bencic R4: 6-2 6-1 Anisimova QF: 6-1 6-4 Barty Collins route to semi-finals R1: 2-6 7-6 6-4 Goerges R2: 6-3 7-5 Vickery R3: 6-3 6-2 Garcia R4: 6-0 6-2 Kerber QF: 2-6 7-5 6-1 Pavlyuchenkova The American was not really on anyone’s radar as a potential winner prior to the tournament but she exudes confidence and will take the match to the Czech. Interestingly, the pair met in Brisbane for the first time ahead of the tournament and it was mighty close. Kvitova triumphed that day 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 but Collins described it as one of the best matches she’d ever played. What have they both said? Kvitova: ‘Well, I think you know me, guys. I’m not really looking to the ranking. Actually that’s the first time what I’m hearing this. I don’t really care, to be honest. ‘I’m in the tournament, in a Slam. I don’t think there’s any room here to think about it. In the next match, playing Danielle in the semifinal. That’s what matter right now.’ Collins is into the semi-finals (Picture: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) Collins: ‘I’ve played Kvitova once a couple weeks ago in Sydney, and she’s tricky because she’s a lefty. ‘I followed a lot of her career. She’s an incredible champion, has gone through a lot. We had a really great battle a couple weeks ago, one of the best matches I’ve played. I didn’t even win that match. So very familiar with her.’ Prediction: Collins’ run has been exceptional but it’s hard to look past Kvitova for this one. She should reach a first Grand Slam final since winning Wimbledon in 2014. Karolina Pliskova v Naomi Osaka (Not before 3.30pm local time/4.30am UK time) Pliskova is dangerous (Picture: AFP/Getty) Both are also in the hunt with Kvitova for world No. 1 and took major scalps in the semi-finals. Osaka had struggled to find her best form in the earlier rounds but dumped sixth seed and WTA Finals winner Elina Svitolina out, but Pliskova’s victory was particularly special. Pliskova v Osaka Current ranking Pliskova: 8 Osaka: 4 Best Grand Slam result Osaka: Champion (US Open 2018) Pliskova: Final (US Open 2016) Head-to-head Pliskova 2-1 Osaka Pliskova route to semi-finals R1: 6-3 6-2 Muchova R2: 4-6 6-1 6-0 Brengle R3: 6-4 3-6 6-2 Giorgi R4: 6-3 6-1 Muguruza QF: 6-4 4-6 7-5 Williams Osaka route to semi-finals R1: 6-4 6-2 Linette R2: 6-2 6-4 Zidansk R3: 5-7 6-4 6-1 Hsieh R4: 4-6 6-3 6-4 Sevastova QF: 6-4 6-1 Svitolina Down match point when 5-1 behind in the decider against 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, Pliskova roared back to win six consecutive games and dump the pre-tournament favourite out. The pair most recently met in the final of the Tokyo Open, with Pliskova ending Osaka’s hopes of winning a title on home soil. What have they both said? Osaka: ‘I have played her a couple times already. She’s really tough to play. Like, I can barely read her serve, so it’s very difficult for me. ‘Like, I see now that she doesn’t hit too many unforced errors, which is a little bit dangerous. But definitely if I play her, too, I’m looking forward to it, because she also – I have never really seen her get angry, and I think that would be a really good match to watch.’ Osaka is targeting back-to-back Grand Slam titles (Picture: AFP/Getty Images) Pliskova: ‘I’ve played few hitters here in the last matches, obviously [Camila] Giorgi, now Serena. I think I’m well prepared for Naomi. ‘Maybe a little bit different game she still has. But big pressure from the forehand. Obviously she’s trying to make her game from the forehand side.’ Prediction: This one is tough to call but I’m leaning towards Osaka. The Japanese has dealt with the pressure of trying to win back-to-back Slams exceptionally well, showing a lot of fight and heart when not playing well in the earlier rounds. Pliskova will be full of confidence having taken Serena out but the young Japanese can get it done in three.<doc-sep>“She’s had to work on it, really, really, really hard,” Guilbeau said with a laugh in a phone conversation on Tuesday. “The emotion gets everybody, there’s no getting around it. The word I used with her a million times was professionalism . . . I always told her, picture yourself in the final of the U.S. Open. How would you want to emote and handle yourself in those situations? And look, she’s going to be more fiery than anyone you’ll see, but she’s really learned to not have the down moments take her off of her game.”<doc-sep>
MELBOURNE, Australia -- Petra Kvitova watched the Australian Open from a distance two years ago, a month after she was injured in a violent home invasion. Then she lost in the first round last year, and conceded she hadn't returned to a standard that earned her two Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon. Until now, that is. So she knew the question was coming, perhaps overdue. Still, after her 6-1, 6-4 win over Ashleigh Barty on Tuesday night, the question during an on-court interview reduced her to tears. She was asked whether she'd ever doubted, ever lost belief that she'd be back in this moment. She had just qualified for her first major semifinal since her run to the 2014 Wimbledon title. There was barely a dry eye in the arena. As she paused to take in a breath and wipe away tears, the encouragement and cheers from the crowd intensified and reached a crescendo after almost 20 seconds to allow Kvitova to respond to Jim Courier's question. "Thank you guys. Um, no, really," she said. "I didn't really imagine to [be] playing on this great stadium and play with the best." Later, the Czech player explained the tears were "a mix of emotions of everything I've been through." "Sometimes I'm not really recognizing anything from the past," she said. "But when Jim asked that, it wasn't really easy for me to kind of see myself being in a semifinal after everything." Petra Kvitova was reduced to tears on Tuesday when asked to reflect on her path back to a Grand Slam semifinal. William West/AFP/Getty Images Since her return to the majors at the French Open in 2017, she has had two first-round exits, two second-round losses and two in the third. The highlight was a run to the 2017 US Open quarterfinals. Now she's on a 10-match winning streak, having also beaten Barty for the title in Sydney in the week leading up to the Australian Open, and feeling like she's back in the big time. "For sure. I'm calling it my 'second career.' So it's the first semifinal of the 'second career,'" Kvitova said. "But yeah, it took me a while, for sure. I never really played so well on the Grand Slams, so I'm happy this time it's different. I'm really enjoying it." And she really is. Her five wins have been in straight sets in an average time of about 1 hour, 6 minutes. The difference is fewer nerves, more job satisfaction and more freedom. "I'm seeing life a little bit differently compared with before. I know it's just the sport, it's just the tennis," she said. "Always when you're doing something, you want to do best. Of course, losing, it hurts a lot because you are doing everything for it. "On the other hand ... I'm always looking back and see what I achieved from the time [before the violent attack]. It's always both sides. But in the end, always the life wins." She'll play Danielle Collins next, and is one of the few people who entered the tournament who could have predicted the American's run so far. Collins has a 5-5 career record in Grand Slam matches. It was 0-5 when she got to Melbourne this month. She has taken out three seeded players, including a 6-0, 6-2 win over three-time major champion Angelique Kerber in the fourth round. In the quarterfinals, she came back to overpower Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 -- conceding only three points as she raced to a 5-0 lead in the third set. Collins took Kvitova to three long sets at the Brisbane International, her first match of the season. So Kvitova, who like Kerber is left-handed, is wary. "I won it, but it was over three hours," Kvitova said of her semifinal rival. "She's very fearless and she's playing very, very aggressive." Collins said she had followed Kvitova's career and admired the 28-year-old, but was ready to make her win No. 6 in her hot streak. "She's an incredible champion, has gone through a lot," Collins said. "We had a really great battle a couple weeks ago, one of the best matches I've played. I didn't even win that match. So very familiar with her. Looking forward to the next match." Kvitova recalled Collins having a chance to serve out that match in Brisbane, and said she would need to be better to win again. But on second thought, she said: "It's a semifinal, so, who cares?"