Ashleigh Barty will live out a childhood dream when she plays American Danielle Collins in the Australian Open final at Melbourne Park after a 6-1, 6-3 semi-final triumph over Madison Keys on Thursday.
Seeking to become the first local since Chris O’Neil in 1978 to win the Australian Open, the 25-year-old was dominant once again as she thrashed American Keys. “To be in the final weekend of your home grand slam is what a lot of Aussie players dream of,” she told reporters. “It’s going to be an incredible experience come Saturday. I can’t wait to go out there and enjoy it.”
Keys started the semi-final with a stinging forehand winner, but Barty was able to break her serve in a tight opening game and was largely in control from there on. She did not drop a point on serve until 4-1, and was able to serve an ace when faced with a break point in that game before wrapping the set up in less than half an hour.
The American started to find her range in the second set and was able to challenge the Australian’s dominance. There were some formidable points, with Keys thumping ground strokes and Barty moving well to defend.
Her variety, and particularly the heavily-sliced backhand, ultimately came to the fore, with Keys unable to make any traction in Barty’s service games.
It is the first time the Wimbledon champion has reached the Australian Open final. The expectation surrounding her bid to end a local drought dating back 44 years has been significant, but the world No.1 said she was embracing the hopes of fans.
“(You) absolutely embrace it. It’s fun. It’s brilliant to be playing in the business end of your home slam,” she said.
Barty is unbeaten in 2022 after starting the season with a win in the Adelaide International. Her form in Melbourne over the past fortnight has been dominant. Steffi Graf dropped 16 games on the way to the Australian Open final in 1989. Monica Seles dropped 20 games when reaching the 1993 decider. Barty has dropped 21 games en route to this year’s final.
Keys was also unbeaten heading into the semi-final after starting the season with a triumph in a different tournament in Adelaide. But she was unable to match the two-time Grand Slam champion after surrendering a break in her opening service game.
The American feels the Barty has elevated her game above her peers and, in an ominous sign, is also capable of reaching an even higher level. “I definitely think so,” she said.
“She seems very focused, but she’s playing very within herself, and it just seems like everything is really working for her right now without playing unbelievable tennis for her.
Iga bid ends
Collins showed she will provide a formidable obstacle to Barty’s hopes with a crushing 6-4, 6-1 defeat of Poland’s Iga Swiatek. While Barty will be the overwhelming favourite on Saturday, the 28-year-old Collins, a product of the American college system and twice an NCAA champion, showed against Swiatek that she can mix it with the best.
She made a lightning start on the Rod Laver Arena, overwhelming Swiatek with her power and aggression to race into a 4-0 lead. Seventh seed Swiatek responded to claw back some of the damage but 28-year-old Collins held firm to close out the set.
It was a repeat show in the second set as Collins again roared 4-0 ahead. This time there was no counter-attack by Swiatek as Collins, showing no nerves as her date with destiny loomed, wrapped up victory on her second match point in 78 minutes.
“It feels amazing. It has been such a journey. It is so many years of hard work,” Collins, who last April required emergency surgery for endometriosis, said on court.
All-Australian show
The “Special Ks” show will have one final episode at the Australian Open after Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis progressed to the men’s doubles final against compatriots Max Purcell and Matt Ebden. Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, nicknamed the “Special Ks” as juniors, defeated third-seeded pair of Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.
