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2019 Sydney International Women's singles, semi-final Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Ashleigh Barty vs Kiki Bertens |
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Ashleigh Barty will be gunning for a second straight Sydney International final when she takes on Kiki Bertens in the first semi-final. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2pm (AEDT).
Barty has had a stunning start to the summer of tennis, and after beating world No.12 Elise Mertens yesterday, has pulled off two upsets in a row against some of the best players in the world to keep the Sydney dream alive.
After falling to Angelique Kerber in last year’s final, she could be on a collision path with the same opponent in this year’s final if she wins today.
The biggest victory of her summer so far though was not yesterday, but rather, against Simona Halep in the second round. Granted, it was the world No.1’s first match of the year and in both hot and humid conditions, but Barty was on fire.
With the odd exception and slight lapse in concentration, her level of play was phenomenal throughout in both of those matches, as it was at the Hopman Cup when she came away with another upset, beating the power of Garbine Muguruza.
Bertens has also had a good start to the season, but will be looking for improvement, not only to get the better of Barty, but to ensure she goes to Melbourne for the Australian Open in good condition.
The Dutchwoman started her season in Brisbane and looked a bit rusty. While a three-set win over Mertens was good, her loss to Donna Vekic in the next round wasn’t so.
Here in Sydney, she avoided Garbine Muguruza in the second round by walkover and has otherwise had a pair of straight-set victories, but the calibre of opponents is well below what she will get when she faces Barty.
Still, the qualities of the World No.9 are undeniable and at 27, she had experience on her side, but form suggests this will be an uphill battle.
In their previous two meetings, Barty took victories on both occasions, including a straight-set beating in the quarter-finals at Montreal last year.
Prediction
Barty is in incredible form leading up to the Australian Open, and while Bertens will probably take this match right to the death, the Australian should get through to another final in Sydney.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the match from 2pm (AEDT) on the Ken Rosewall Arena and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Bruiser
Roar Rookie
Never back against an Aussie ))
Maggie
Guest
Great fighting win. I so much admire Barty’s calmness under pressure. And hence her ability to choose the right shot on most occasions.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thank goodness for the cash out option. Phew!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this afternoon on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2019 Sydney International as Ashleigh Barty booked her spot in the women's singles final. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. David Holden will be with you from 8:30pm (AEDT) for the men's semi-final featuring Alex De Minaur, and tomorrow, we will have both the women's and men's singles finals from Ken Roseaall Arena. Then from Monday, the whole team will be on deck as we provide extensive coverage of the Australian Open including live scores of every single match throughout the tournament for the first time ever. Bye for now and enjoy the rest of your day.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ashleigh Barty has booked her place in the Sydney International final with a tough three-set victory over Kiki Bertens. After already forcing two upset victories this week over world No.1 Simona Halep and No.12 Elise Mertens, Barty looked to be in a spot of bother early on in the match. The first set was topsy-turvy though with four breaks of serve before Bertens won six straight points to take the tiebreaker. From there, Barty hit back in the second and third set, getting a break of the powerful Bertens serve in each to take the victory. The way the Australian dealt with pressure was fabulous, with there being tims where it looked like other players might have imploded. Instead, she stuck with it and broke on Bertens final service game for 6-5, before holding serve to love for the victory. Barty will now move on to the final tomorrow evening, where she will play the winner of Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Petra Kvitova, who play in the second women's semi-final this evening. Barty....... 6 6 7 Bertens... 7 4 5
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, ASHLEIGH BARTY Barty with a serve down the middle and then a great crosscourt forehand after a short rally! That will do the trick, with Bertens unable to get it back into play. A really tough match there. Three long, slogging sets in tough conditions, but Barty, as she has done all week, stayed patient, stayed in it and then got the break at the last minute before serving it out to love! Barty is back in the Sydney International final. Barty....... 6 6 7 Bertens... 7 4 5
Scott Pryde
Expert
Unreturnable serve and it's three match points for Barty! Barty....... 6 6 6 - 40 Bertens... 7 4 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
A fault, then a longer rally, breaking out crosscourt before Bertens goes sharply backhand, but sends it wide. Barty....... 6 6 6 - 30 Bertens... 7 4 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Barty serving for the match and has new balls as well. Bertens up to the net here, but Barty has scooped a half volley from the baseline and it's landed in the corner of the court. Staggering shot. Barty....... 6 6 6 - 15 Bertens... 7 4 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
BARTY BREAKS! Fault on break point. The second is returned with depth on the backhand and Barty is on the defensive foot, but Bertens hits an inside out forehand wide! Last possible moment, but Barty has broken and will now serve for the match and a spot in the final! Barty....... 6 6 6 - Bertens... 7 4 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Backhand return from Barty, then she comes up to the net with a good enough approach. Bertens gets there, but WHAT A VOLLEY! Barty had no right to get there, let alone get it back over. Break point. Barty....... 6 6 5 - 40 Bertens... 7 4 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Bertens up to the net this time. Lovely volley and Barty, from off the court, can't get the passing shot back in. Barty....... 6 6 5 - 30 Bertens... 7 4 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Barty returns serve long this time, the ball looping long. We have a challenge from Barty which takes a fair while to load up on the screen, but it eventually does and it was out. Barty....... 6 6 5 - 30 Bertens... 7 4 5 - 15
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
I think I called a 3rd set tie breaker before the game. Looks like we might be heading there.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Double fault! Huge opportunity for Barty now. Barty....... 6 6 5 - 30 Bertens... 7 4 5 - 0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The tension, the drama, the atmosphere!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Barty has the first point against serve! Huge return from out wide and Bertens sends a ball long. Barty....... 6 6 5 - 15 Bertens... 7 4 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Barty. The second is to the backhand wing, then Bertens returns well, but nets a regulation forehand. Love hold at a crucial time and the pressure is straight back onto the racquet of Bertens. Barty....... 6 6 5 - Bertens... 7 4 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Huge! Down the T. Unreturnable. Barty....... 6 6 4 - 40 Bertens... 7 4 5 - 0