It is three years since Zahlavova Strycova claimed her solitary singles title on the WTA Tour, but she looked more than capable of ending that wait as Swedish qualifier Larsson was soundly beaten 6-0 6-2.
Alize Cornet and Sabine Lisicki were among four seeds to crash out of the tournament on Wednesday after top seed Andrea Petkovic had been consigned to a first-round defeat, so Zahlavova Strycova must fancy her chances in their absence.
The Czech world number 31 claimed six breaks as Larsson was outclassed in a one-sided last-eight encounter at the CK Sportcentre in Kockelscheuer.
Larsson had no answer to Zahlavova Strycova, who won 12 points in a row in a first set which she totally dominated.
Zahlavova Strycova continued where she left off by winning the first game of the second set on Larsson's serve and, although the Swede finally got on the board by breaking back immediately, she was unable to build on that and was comfortably beaten.
Qualifier Denisa Allertova sprung a surprise by beating fifth seed Varvara Lepchenko 4-6 6-3 7-5 in a tense encounter which lasted two hours and 23 minutes.
American world number 37 Lepchenko looked to be on course for the last four at the WTA International event when she wrapped up the first set courtesy of two breaks, but Czech Allertova had other ideas.
Underdog Allertova recovered from losing the first game of the second set on serve to break twice and level the match, then put then sealed victory by winning her fourth match point.
Mona Barthel stands in the way of Zahlavova Strycova and a place in the final after the German was a 6-3 6-0 winner against Cornet's conqueror Kiki Bertens.
Swedish Open champion Barthel, who beat Monica Niculescu to reach the last eight, clocked up seven aces in a ruthless performance in which she broke five times and failed to hold serve only once.
There will be another German in the semi-finals in the form of last year's runner-up Annika Beck, who beat Serbia's Patricia Mayr-Achleitner 6-2 6-2.
Beck was beaten by Caroline Wozniacki in the final 12 months ago and a semi-final victory over Allertova will give the 20-year-old another opportunity to win her first singles title.