With an outstanding performance, the number one in the world has reached its first final in its home country. There she meets a debutante on Saturday – and has a historic chance.
Ashleigh Barty is in a league of his own at the Australian Open, and the long-awaited home win is within reach. The number one in the tennis world rankings continues to show no weakness and made it into the final in Melbourne for the first time with a 6: 1, 6: 3 against the previously very convincing American Madison Keys. As the first Australian since 1978, Barty can triumph at the home Grand Slam on Saturday.
The opponent in the final is called Danielle Collins. In the second semi-final of the day, the American also clearly defeated French Open winner Iga Swiatek. It was 6: 4, 6: 1 after just 78 minutes. It is the first Grand Slam final ever for the 28-year-old from Florida. Collins is currently ranked 30th in the world. Her success at the Australian Open places her in the top 10 after the tournament – regardless of the outcome of the final.
Victory fist: Danielle Collins clearly won against Iga Swiatek and reached her first final at Grand Slam level. (Source: AAP/imago images)
Wimbledon champion Barty went into the tournament as the big favorite, and the 25-year-old didn’t drop a single set on her way to the final.
Last Australian winner in 1978
In 1978, Christine O’Neil was the last Australian to win the home Grand Slam title. Barty’s best result in Melbourne so far was reaching the 2020 semifinals, when she lost to eventual winner Sofia Kenin (USA). No Australian had reached the final since Wendy Turnbull in 1980.
Barty’s opponent Keys, number 51 in the world, had entered her second semi-final in Melbourne after 2015 with strong performances. She had also convincingly beaten the co-favorites Paula Badosa (Spain) and Barbora Krejcikova (Czech Republic). But two-time Major winner Barty is well above the competition in this tournament.
She only needed 26 minutes for the first set against the tense Keys, with her clever rhythm changes through the unpleasant backhand slice, Barty dominated the match in the Rod Laver Arena. The American initially kept up better in the second set, but Barty showed her best tennis in the important moments and ended the game after just 62 minutes.