Australian Open 2014: Dominika Cibulkova continues Melbourne run by beating Simona Halep to reach semi-final

The conqueror of Maria Sharapova advances

Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova celebrates after victory in her women's singles quarter-final against Romania's Simona Halep (GETTY IMAGES)

Dominika Cibulkova followed up her victory over Maria Sharapova by crushing Simona Halep to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

Romanian Halep never found her rhythm and world number 24 Cibulkova took just an hour to triumph 6-3 6-0 on Rod Laver Arena.

The 24-year-old Slovakian's only previous grand slam semi-final came at the French Open in 2009 and she has never made a final.

Her previous best at Melbourne Park had been a fourth-round appearance in the same year but she carried on the form she had shown in upsetting third seed Sharapova in the fourth round.

In the last four Cibulkova will play fifth seed Agnieszka Radwanska, who beat defending champion Victoria Azarenka.

PA