Melbourne, Jan 27 : World No.1 Ashleigh Barty sailed into maiden Australian Open women’s singles final after beating Madison Keys on Thursday. Barty defeated America’s Keys 6-1, 6-3 in the semifinal and became the first Australian woman to reach the final at her home major since 1980. Top seed Barty dropped just four games against Keys to reach her third Grand Slam final. After speeding through a 26-minute first set, Keys’ best opportunity to swing the match her way came midway through the second.
Barty’s unforced errors count began to tick up slightly and Keys found a backhand down the line to held for 2-2 after a two-deuce tussle. In the next game, the American made her way to break point for the second time in the match. But Barty snuffed it out with some efficient aggression and a drive volley sealed the hold for 3-2. Keys battled well to keep the deficit to one break but Barty faced no further danger on serve and converted her match point with a cool-headed punch.
Barty will face either Danielle Collins of the USA or Poland’s Iga Swiatek in the final.
