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.

Kvitova will 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.