Barty nets date with Gavrilova

AUSTRALIAN tennis star Ashleigh Barty has booked a Sydney International semifinal showstopper with compatriot Daria Gavrilova after a convincing final-eight win yesterday.

Barty showed why she entered the summer as the nation’s No.1 player after dominating an error-prone Barbora Strycova 6-3 6-2 on Ken Rosewall Arena.

Barty broke the Czech midway through the first set and didn’t look back, unleashing an impressive array of shots past a frustrated Strycova to run away with the match.

The 21-year-old, who is on debut in Sydney, has yet to drop a set this week.

She will now meet Gavrilova, who walked through to the final four following the withdrawal of world No.3 Garbine Muguruza due to a thigh injury.

Dominika Cibulkova meets former world No.1 Angelique Kerber in another quarterfinal, with the winner to meet the victor of Camila Giorgi and Agnieszka Radwanska.