American qualifier Samantha Crawford is through to her first career semifinal after thrashing German world No.24 Andrea Petkovic 6-3, 6-0 at the Brisbane International on Thursday.
The 20-year-old from Atlanta won her sixth straight match of the tournament to down the 2011 runner-up on Pat Rafter Arena.
“That was pretty cool,” the 20-year-old giggled.
Crawford became the first qualifier to make the Brisbane women’s semifinals after thrashing former world No.9 Andrea Petkovic 6-3 6-0 at Pat Rafter Arena on Thursday.
World No.24 Petkovic – ranked 118 places higher than Crawford – knew little about the American before their quarterfinal, admitting she would need to do some “classic YouTube stalking”.
The aggressive Crawford added to her highlights reel after blowing the former French Open semifinalist off the court in less than an hour.
Crawford looked just as stunned as the crowd after booking her first career WTA Tour semifinal in just her sixth main draw appearance.
“It happened fast. I was trying to not think about it too much, not psych myself out,” said Crawford, who also downed seventh seed Belinda Bencic in the second round.
“Right after I won on the on-court interview I was like shaking, and then in the lockerroom I was like sitting for just like a little bit. But yeah, this is awesome.”
Crawford – yet to drop a set in Brisbane – takes on the winner of Thursday night’s quarterfinal between former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka and Italian eighth seed Roberta Vinci.
Former Wimbledon semifinalist Kerber plays the winner of Thursday’s quarter-final between Spanish sixth seed Carla Suarez Navarro and American Varvara Lepchenko.
Ex-US Open junior champ Crawford is backing herself to cause more carnage in a Brisbane women’s draw blown wide.