Dasha still fancies her chances

DARIA Gavrilova believes she will enter next week’s Australian Open in better form than last year’s march to the fourth round.

Gavrilova moves on to Melbourne Park after falling just short of the Sydney International final, losing 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 yesterday to compatriot Ashleigh Barty. Both struggled with their serve on Ken Rosewall Arena, with a total of 11 service breaks.

“It was really swirly. It was changing a lot,” Gavrilova said.

While Gavrilova claimed the first set, Barty fought back to level the match before riding a wave of momentum to become the first Australian to reach the Sydney final since 2005.

Gavrilova, who has reached the round of 16 in consecutive Australian Opens, insists she’s playing better than this time last year. “You just never know,” she said of her chances.

Barty will meet former world No. 1 Angelique Kerber in the Sydney International final after Kerber dismantled plucky Italian qualifier Camila Giorgi 6-2, 6-3 last night. It marked the eighth successive singles win for Kerber.