Barty continues giant-killing heroics

IN-FORM Ashleigh Barty is savouring another watershed win after upsetting former world No.1 Karolina Pliskova to storm into her third WTA semi-final of the season.

Barty set up a showdown with French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko with a thrilling 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-2) victory over third-seeded Pliskova at the Wuhan Open.

The victory over Pliskova — who only relinquished her top ranking this month after failing to reach the US Open final — continued Barty’s giant-killing run in China.

The 21-year-old took out British fifth seed Johanna Konta in her opening match before then ousting former world No.2 Agnieszka Radwanska.

Her latest triumph has ensured Barty another career-high ranking of at least 26th in the world after she started the season at No.271 in her return to tennis after a stint playing professional cricket with the Brisbane Heat.

“It’s been an amazing season. It really has,” the Queenslander said. “I was very motivated and worked very hard last year to get back to where we are now.”

The former Wimbledon junior champion is also making a late bid to qualify for the eightplayer singles field for the WTA Championships.

“I think maybe deep down we knew some of these results were possible, but I don’t think quite having the consistency throughout the year that we’ve had, I really thought was possible,” Barty said.