Barty breezes through to all-Aussie semi
Ash Barty has set up an all-Australian semi-final at the Sydney International by knocking Barbora Strycova out of the tournament.
Barty easily accounted for Strycova on Ken Rosewall Arena, winning eight of the last 11 games to beat the Czech 6-3 6-2.
The 19th-ranked 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 and is the highest ranked player left in the draw, has yet to drop a set this week.
Barty will play countrywoman Daria Gavrilova who had a walkover in her quarter-final when world No.3 Garbine Muguruza pulled out due to a right thigh injury.
The forfeit came just hours after Muguruza admitted she was unhappy with her “weird” fitness following her second-round win over Kiki Bertens on Wednesday.
And while she insisted being satisfied with her game, she was less confident in her body.
“I’m happy the way I felt,” the Spaniard said.
“(But) not about my fitness state because I feel it’s a little bit, surprisingly, I don’t know, weird. But my tennis is good.”
Her withdrawal has thrown her preparation for the Australian Open into chaos.
Gavrilova advanced to the quarters with a straight-sets win over compatriot Samantha Stosur on Wednesday night.
Alex De Minaur was the sole Aussie left in the men’s draw and last night looking to continue his hot form against former world No.9 Feliciano López.
At the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne, Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard stopped local Destanee Aiava 6-2 6-0.
The 17-year-old Avala, who is ranked 153 in the world, was disappointed with her game.
“Yeah, she played great. I kind of didn’t play to my level at all,” Aiava said.