Barty, Pliskova set up blockbuster final
Ashleigh Barty is one victory away from realising her dream of winning the Wimbledon title on the 50th anniversary of fellow indigenous Australian Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s first triumph.
The 25-year-old world No 1 produced her best performance of The Championships so far to beat 2018 champion Angelique Kerber 6-3, 7-6 (7/3). Barty will play former world No 1 Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic in Saturday’s final.
Pliskova came from a set down to beat powerful Belarusian second seed Aryna Sabalenka 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
Barty had never progressed further than the fourth round at Wimbledon despite having form on grass as she was junior champion in 2011.