Muchova ends Sabalenka streak to reach China Open semis

Karolina Muchova resisted a fightback from number one seed Aryna Sabalenka to reach the semi-finals of the China Open.

Muchova will face either Russia's Mirra Andreeva or China's Qinwen Zheng in the last four after winning 7-6 (7-5) 2-6 6-4.

The Czech has won her last three matches against world number two Sabalenka, who was attempting to make it 16 wins on the bounce.

"Tennis is really a rollercoaster," Muchova said.

"I had to fight for every ball and, in the end, it was worth it.

"I'll try to recover as best as possible, I don't have a day off [before the semi-final], and I'll wait to see who my opponent is."

Muchova had to defend five break points to come through the first set but was overpowered in the second.

Sabalenka then broke in the opening game of the third set, but world number 49 Muchova refused to allow the three-time Grand Slam champion out of sight.

Belarusian Sabalenka had not been beaten since 10 August, winning the Cincinnati Open and US Open, external during that period, but it was Muchova who found an extra gear to win four games in a row and take a step closer to her first WTA title of the year.