Sofia Kenin stunned home favourite Ash Barty to secure her spot in Saturday’s final – while Britain’s Joe Salisbury will also be competing for honours in the men’s doubles

Ashleigh Barty bowed out of the tournament (Image: LUKAS COCH/EPA-EFE/REX)

Hot favourite Ash Barty melted out of the Australian Open on Thursday in a shock defeat to No.14 seed Sofia Kenin.

The world No.1 had two sets points in each set but could not convert and went down 7-6 7-5 to the Russian-born American.

Kenin will play the winner of the other semi between Simona Halep and Garbine Muguruza in Saturday’s final.

On a day when temperatures soared to 40 degrees Down Under, Britain’s Joe Salisbury kept his cool to reach his first Grand Slam doubles final with partner Rajeev Ram.

And John McEnroe got in a heated discussion with a local Melbourne radio station before hanging up

Roger Federer will face Novak Djokovic in the first men’s semi-final later after organiser were forced to deny a rumour the Swiss was pulling out.