World tennis number one Ashleigh Barty qualified for her first Australian Open final on Thursday, January 27, by unceremoniously dismissing, in sixty-two minutes, the American Madison Keys (51and world) in two sets (6-1, 6-3).
The 25-year-old Australian, holder of two Grand Slam titles (Roland-Garros 2019 and Wimbledon 2021), will try on Saturday to finally win “her” major tournament, against the Polish Iga Swiatek (9and) or the American Danielle Collins (30and). She is the first Australian to reach the final in Melbourne since Wendy Turnbull in 1980.
Ashleigh Barty largely beat Madison Keys, like the other opponents she has faced since the start of the tournament. In one hour – the approximate time the match lasted – the Australian had five aces and 48% of her serves were unreturned. She saved the two break points that the American obtained (one per set), converted four of the six break points in her favor, and made twenty winning strokes for thirteen unforced errors.
“Honestly, it’s amazing. I’m happy to play my best tennis here, said the 25-year-old Australian, who is guaranteed to keep her place at the top of the world rankings on Monday. The ball was a little slower tonight, heavier in the key. I just tried to run and adapt, return as many balls as I could and pressure Maddie on her serve. »
