Barty sets sights on title repeat

Ashleigh Barty will mark her return to the top of theworld singles rankings with a second consecutive appearance in the US Open women’s doubles final.

Seeking back-to-back doubles titles in New York, Barty and dual Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka stormed into the championship decider with a 6-0 6-1 semi-final thrashing of Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Viktoria Kuzmova yesterday.

Champion last year with Coco Vandweghe, Barty and Azarenka will meet either Elise Mertens and Aryna Sabalenka or Vania King and Caroline Dolehide in the final on Monday (AEST).

Barty and Azarenka were merciless in dispatching Sasnovich and Viktoria Kuzmova in 56 minutes on Louis Armstrong Stadium.

“I feel like I’m in a great place off the court and enjoying myself on the court,” Barty said before deflecting the praise for Azarenka, the dominant performer in the semi-final rout.

“It was pretty impressive from Vika. I was happy to sit back and enjoy the show. She’s a champion and I’m just glad she’s on my side of the court.”

Barty, who will regain the world No.1 singles ranking on Monday from Naomi Osaka, has also taken a giant stride towards becoming the only player to qualify for this year’s season-ending championships in both disciplines.

The only player to have already sealed her singles entry, 23-year-old Barty and Azarenka will also climb into the top eight in the 2019 Race to Shenzhen in doubles if they win the US Open.