Karolina Muchova halted world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka’s 15-match winning streak with a shock comeback win in the quarter-finals of the China Open.

Top seed Sabalenka looked to be on course for the semi-finals as she led 4-2 in the deciding set.

However, world No. 49 Muchova found her best level when she needed it most as she reeled off four straight games – and the last eight points in a row – to pull off the upset.

“Tennis is a rollercoaster,” said Muchova, who next faces Mirra Andreeva or Qinwen Zheng.

“I just tried to fight for every ball and at the end it was worth it. I’m standing here winning and it’s fun, it’s crazy, I am really glad.”

Muchova returned to the tour earlier this summer after missing almost a year with injury and is playing just the seventh tournament of her comeback.

She looks to be in top form again as she earned her third straight win over Sabalenka, who hadn’t lost since the Toronto quarter-finals in early August.

A tightly-contested opening set only saw chances at either end for both players.

Sabalenka first saved three break points in the opening game but then couldn’t convert two set points in the 10th game.

The set went to a tie-breaker and Muchova took it 7-5.

The second set was more one-sided as Sabalenka showed her quality with two breaks of serve to take it 6-2.

It looked like the world No. 2 had the momentum and would close out the win as she broke twice more to lead 4-2 in the deciding set.

But Sabalenka faltered with the finish line in sight, playing a poor game to allow Muchova to get back on level terms.

Muchova then won eight points in a row as she secured a famous win.