Beaten star's furious running battle with chair umpire

Petra Kvitova is a win away from crowning one of sport’s great comebacks after ending American Danielle Collins’ daring Australian Open run in a controversial semi-final at Melbourne Park.

The eighth-seeded Czech rallied from a service break down in the opening set to deny Collins 7-6 (7-2) 6-0 under a closed roof at Rod Laver Arena on Thursday.

Collins will be less than happy, though.

Accustomed to training in steamy Florida, the 25-year-old complained to tournament referee Wayne McEwen – to no avail – after officials ordered the roof closure at 4-4 in the opening set.

But with the temperature in Melbourne soaring to 38 degrees – and much more on court – McEwen had no option but to apply the extreme heat policy.

Collins won only two more games playing indoors as Kvitova swept past the American underdog in one hour and 34 minutes.

“I think I was happier than the fans that the roof closed,” Kvitova said.

“I like to play indoors, so it really helped me a little bit.

“It doesn’t matter. It was kind of warm, but if it is open, I am still going to fight.”

Without a win in a grand slam before last week, Collins also engaged in a running battle with Carlos Ramos, the umpire at the centre of last year’s US Open firestorm involving Serena Williams.

The 25-year-old was upset by Ramos’ repeated interventions, notably one when he blamed a malfunctioning net cord sensor at a key moment early in the second state.

But it was Kvitova’s day.

She will now play the winner of the second semi between Naomi Osaka and Karolina Pliskova in what will be the two-time Wimbledon champion’s first grand slam final since being savagely stabbed in a career-threatening home invasion in December, 2016.

After being told by doctors she’d likely never be able to grip a racquet again after having several tendons shredded in her playing hand, Kvitova will incredibly also climb to world No.1 if she wins the Open on Saturday night.

“It means everything,” a suitably overjoyed Kvitova said.

“I worked very hard to be in the final of a tournament, final of a major. Finally I have made it.

“I will really enjoy the final and, whatever happens, I am very, very happy.”