Pavlyuchenkova knocks Stephens out of Australia Open

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(190120) -- MELBOURNE, Jan. 20, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia returns the ball during the women's singles 4th round match against Sloane Stephens of the United States at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 20, 2019. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

Melbourne,  Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia shocked fifth-seed Sloane Stephens of the United States 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-3 in the Australian Open Tennis tournament last-16, to set a quarter-finals clash against American Danielle Collins.

The 27-year-old Russian, who reached the Australian Open last-eight for the second time in her career after doing the same in the 2017 edition, defeated the 25-year-old former US Open champion after two and a half hours, reports Efe news.

“I am happy I stayed awake,” Pavlyuchenkova said after the game, thanking the crowd.

Pavlyuchenkova, who also knocked out ninth-seed Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands in the second round, will continue her stellar run in her second quarter-final appearance in Melbourne.

The Russian player is scheduled to take on Collins with hopes of making her first semis after conceding a 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) defeat to Venus Williams (USA) back in 2017.