Aryna Sabalenka had won the Australian Open on her previous two trips at Melbourne Park and was eyeing a 'three-peat’. However, America's Madison Keys defeated her in a closely-fought finale to lift her maiden Grand Slam title.
Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev will take on each other in the men's singles semifinals of the ongoing US Open.
The World No.1 defeated her American opponent 6-1, 6-3 in a lop-sided final that lasted just 1 hour and 2 minutes.
The 11th-seeded Kenin was beaten by 2017 US Open runner-up Madison Keys 7-6 (2), 7-5 in an all-American matchup.
Keys hit 24 winners against 13 for the sixth-seeded Bencic, who was coming off a loss to Iga Swiatek in the final of the Adelaide International on Saturday.
The second-ranked Pliskova is the first player, male or female, to win the Brisbane-based event three times after wins here in 2017 and last year.
The American won nine of 10 games in her mid-match recovery against the tournament's 2011 champion to beat Kvitova 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Naomi Osaka defated Kiki Bertens 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 while Petra Kvitova beat qualifier Jennifer Brady 6-4, 6-2. Madison Keys got the better of fellow American Danielle Collins 6-4, 6-1.
Garbine Muguruza defeated Shelby Rogers 6-1, 7-6 to reach Shenzhen Open quarters while Madison Keys beat Samantha Stosur 7-5, 6-3 in Brisbane International second round.
While Madison Keys won in straight sets, Naomi Osaka defeated Maria Sakkari 6-2 6-7 6-3 to enter the second round of Brisbane International.
The 14th-seeded Keys reached her third semifinal in the past five majors by using her big-strike game built on serves and forehands to overpower no. 30 Carla Suarez Navarro.
Halep assured herself of retaining the No. 1 ranking and reached her third final in Paris.
Their matchup provides a contrast in styles: Keys is a big hitter whose serves and forehands are the keys to her success; Stephens covers every inch of the court as well as anyone.
Djokovic saved three match points in the fourth-set tiebreaker before his 72nd-ranked rival converted his fourth with a backhand return winner.
The 10th-seeded Stephens was a 6-2, 6-0 winner against No. 25 Anett Kontaveit of Estonia in 52 minutes, while No. 13 Keys beat No. 31 Mihaela Buzarnescu of Romania 6-1, 6-4 in 65 minutes.
The 24-year-old Thiem leads 4-2 overall against Zverev, but lost to him last month in the Madrid Masters final.
Halep needed to reach the quarterfinals to progress further than No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki to hold onto the top spot, and she accomplished the first task.
The 30-year-old had earlier accepted a wildcard entry to make her first appearance at the tournament since 2006.
The defending Australian Open champion Angelina Kerber will clash with WTA No.1 Simona Halep in the semifinals which promises to be an absolute treat.
The U.S. Open finalist is yet to drop a set at Melbourne Park and is averaging a brisk 62.5 minutes on court through her first four rounds.
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