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In the build-up to this year's Australian Open, commentators and fans alike were tipping a Polish player to break through and win the tournament for the first time.
Key points:
- Linette plays fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals
- She had never been past the third round in her previous Australian Open visits
- The 30-year-old is the only unseeded player left in the women's draw
Now at the semifinal stage in Melbourne, a Polish player is still in contention for the women's title, however, it is not the one most expected.
Poland's world number one, Iga Świątek, was the pre-tournament favourite, coming off a season where she added a second French Open to her tally and won the US Open for the first time.
But the three-time major champion exited the Australian Open in the fourth round, leaving unseeded Magda Linette as the only Pole left in the draw.
Linette, 45 on the world rankings, had never been past the third round of a major before arriving in Melbourne.
The 30-year-old's track record at the Australian Open was unremarkable, having previously won just three matches from six visits.
Linette has been a revelation this fortnight, eliminating three top-20 players – including world number four Caroline Garcia – on her way to the quarterfinals.
She took down former world number one Karolína Plíšková in the last eight, setting up a clash with fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka for a spot in the final.
In light of her modest record at the majors, Linette could be forgiven if she was overawed coming up against a player of the calibre of Belarusian Sabalenka.
"I played so many big players already," Linette said after her quarterfinal win.
"It's just nothing really new for me. Just another match."
Bouncing back from tough times
While Linette, who has been ranked as high as 33 in the world, described her victory over Plíšková as a "dream come true", she is not surprised to have made the semifinals.
She and her support team, including coach Mark Gellard, put in a mountain of work during the 2022 season, even if the graft was not reflected in her results.
Linette said there were some "tough losses" last year, but she knew she and her team were on "a really good path".
"I think this is huge reward for not only me but also for them, that they see that they are doing really amazing job," she said.
"It was really worth it, going through those tough moments. It kind of boosts all of us because they also need the reward."
The winner of the Linette-Sabalenka semifinal will meet either two-time winner Victoria Azarenka or Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in Saturday night's tournament decider.