ASH CONTINUES TO SIZZLE IN SYDNEY
FORGET the Australian Open, Ashleigh Barty has eyes for only one prize after continuing her run to surge into her second-straight Sydney International final.
Barty, 22, rallied from a set down and withstood 15 aces from world No.9 Kiki Bertens to beat the Dutchwoman 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 7-5 in a quality twohour, 18-minute semi-final.
After taking out 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in the first round, Barty has since toppled world No.1 Simona Halep, the 12th-ranked Elise Mertens and Bertens.
But refusing to shift her focus, Barty craves joining her idol Evonne Goolagong and other greats including Margaret Court, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova on the Sydney honour roll before worrying about the season’s first grand slam starting on Monday in Melbourne.
Barty said it would be a dream to be the first Australian winner in Sydney since Alicia Molik 14 years ago.
“We are so lucky in Australia to have such a rich history across both the male and female side,” Barty said.
Molik, who was courtside for yesterday’s win at Ken Rosewall Arena, went on to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals a week later.
Barty will play Czech fifth seed Petra Kvitova or Serbian qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich in Saturday’s final, hoping to complete the perfect Open lead-up.
“It truly has been a phenomenal week of tennis,” Barty said.
“I feel like I’ve played great the whole week. I’ve had tough opponents every single round and I’m really excited to have another shot at the title.”
The world No.15 has shown great mental resolve to back up her career-best win over Halep two days ago.
“Both Elise and Kiki were amazing opponents so I knew I had to be switched on and play my best tennis to win.
“That’s the best part of this tournament – it’s so strong; every single round could be a final.
“So I have to be ready now and then I get to come out and enjoy tomorrow.”