BARTY’S READY FOR THE PARTY

Aussie Ash is all dressed up & gunning for glory

ASH BARTY already had the dress for the big night and now the dream could be coming true.

The world No.1 has been wearing a ‘scalloped’ dress (below) at SW19 this fortnight in honour of the outfit fellow Australian and mentor Evonne Goolagong Cawley wore on her historic first Wimbledon win 50 years ago.

Barty, who has just one Grand Slam so far under her belt – the French Open in 2019 – has always said the dream tournament for her to win would be Wimbledon.

And right now the 25-year-old is just one step

away after the Aussie overcame 2018 winner Angelique

Kerber with a superb display, to run out a 6-3 7-6 winner and reach her first All England Club final.

Tomorrow on Centre Court she will be up against Czech Karolina Pliskova (above, left), the former world No.1, who now has the chance to win her first-ever Grand Slam after fighting back to overcome Aryna Sabalenka 5-7 6-4 6-4.

Barty (top right) said of the moment she reached the final: “It was almost a moment of relief, of pure excitement. Something I never knew if I’d ever feel.

“It’s a really special anniversary for Evonne. I couldn’t be more proud to be in a position to wear an outfit inspired by her. Now to give myself a chance to create history as a tribute to her is really exciting. I couldn’t be more happy.”

Barty, who overcame a hip injury just in time to make Wimbledon, and actually gave up tennis in 2014 for

two years, added: “Your growth comes from your darkest times.

“Just to be able to keep chipping away, keep putting yourself out there, let yourself be vulnerable, just be yourself, knowing that everything that comes with that is an opportunity to learn. That’s been a massive one for me this fortnight.”

Barty surged through the first set against Kerber, 33, but the German hit back and was 4-1 up in the second set.

However, Barty’s forehand gradually began to lock in and a run of 10 points in a row took the set to 5-5, and a break handed her the chance to level the scores.

The Australian took control of the tie break and a loose Kerber backhand into the net was enough.

Pliskova, 29, who has lost five out of seven matches against Barty, said of her final opponent: “I never played a horrible match against Ash – but she makes you feel ugly with the game she plays.”