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Australia’s Ashleigh Barty continues her quest to win her home major tonight, at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, where she takes on Madison Keys in the Australian Open women’s semifinals. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the action from 7:30pm AEDT.
The last Australian to make an Australian Open singles title was Lleyton Hewitt, way back in 2005. Barty has the chance to match Hewitt tonight, and then perhaps go one better on Saturday night.
Her tournament to date has been superb, not dropping a set and only losing a combined 17 games over 5 matches.
Against Jessica Pegula, the World no.1 was at her beguiling best. Pegula was never comfortable and had to struggle for every point. Barty plays a different game to the rest of the WTA tour and it is proving difficult to counter.
After a disappointing 2021, Madison Keys has found her best tennis in Melbourne. Her 51 ranking does not reflect the Keys we are seeing in the Australian Open.
She has been a seed slayer, taking down Sofia Kenin, Paula Badosa and Barbora Krejcikova along the way. Better still, she beat them all in straight sets, only losing one set so far.
Barty leads the head-to-head 2-1, with Keys’ only win coming on clay back in 2017. Barty won the only hard court battle 6-4 6-1 in the Federation Cup in 2019.
Prediction
After a couple of near misses in recent years, there is a feeling of destiny this year for Ash Barty.
Keys is playing some great tennis but there is some doubt whether she can reach that level against the Australian.
Riding a wave of home support, the 17 year wait for an Australian Open finalist will come to and end.
Ash Barty in straight sets.
Venue: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Kick-off: 7:40pm approx. AEDT
Broadcast: Channel 9
Live stream: 9Now, Stan Sport
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