Barty refuses to bow
World No.1 wears down Czech to make Open semi-final
ASHLEIGH Barty withstood a fierce challenge yesterday from Petra Kvitova to become the first local woman to reach the Australian Open semifinals in 36 years.
The steely-eyed world No.1 had to fight off eight break points in a tense first set before denying the freehitting Czech 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 in a rematch of their 2019 quarter-final at Rod Laver Arena.
The first Australian to make the Open semi-finals since Wendy Turnbull in 1984, Barty will play American 14th seed Sofia Kenin tomorrow for a spot in Saturday night’s title decider.
“It’s been absolutely incredible,”
Barty said. “I knew that I had to bring my absolute best today against Petra.
“That first set was so crucial. I just wanted to try to make the most of it and it was really good to get a quick start in the second.”
Reigning French Open champion Barty found herself under pressure from the start, having to fight off a break point in the opening game as Kvitova pounced on anything short.
Kvitova nabbed the first break in the third game, only to hand it straight back by dropping serve to love with a series of unforced errors.
Still on the back foot as Kvitova dictated proceedings, Barty saved three more break points in the seventh game to hold for 4-3.
Her extraordinary defensive skills were on full display in the vital firstset tie-breaker.
Serving at 2-3, Barty won the longest rally of the match – a 22-shot exchange that Kvitova surrendered after the top seed wore the Czech down with relentless retrieving.
Scrapping desperately to stay in it, Barty saved a set point on her own serve and her perseverance was rewarded when Kvitova floated a backhand long to concede the tense first set after 69 minutes.
Barty stormed to a 4-0 lead in the second before Kvitova briefly threatened a comeback after breaking Barty to reduce the deficit to 4-2, but the home hope held her nerve to seal victory after one hour and 44 minutes.
Barty will now prepare to face Kenin for a place in the final.
The Australian has won four of their five clashes, including their fourth-round showdown last year in Paris.
Kenin continued her career-best run at a major yesterday, beating unseeded Tunisian Ons Jabeur 6-4 6-4.
“She’s developed a lot over the last 12, 18 months,” Barty said of Kenin.
“She’s a great ball striker who wants to be inside the court taking the ball either way.
“It’s about me getting my running shoes on, bringing variety and trying to bring the match on my terms as much as possible.”