Wimbledon: Ashleigh Barty through to Saturday’s women’s singles final after defeating Angelique Kerber in a thriller
World No 1 Ashleigh Barty became the first Australian to reach the women’s singles final in 41 years after defeating former champion Angelique Kerber.
Barty’s impressive 6-3 7-6 (7-3) victory over 2018 champion Kerber puts her through to a second Grand Slam final and with the chance to emulate her mentor Evonne Goolagong, who won the second of her titles at the All England Club in 1980.
“This is incredible. This is as close to as good a tennis match as I’ll ever play. Angie brought the best out of me. I’m incredibly proud of myself and my team and now we get a chance on Saturday to try to live out our childhood dream,” said Barty, whose outfit is a tribute to the one worn by Goolagong for the first of her victories in 1971.
“I’ve had an incredible journey, ups and downs and everything in between, and I wouldn’t change one moment. It’s been unique, incredible, it’s been tough. There have been so many things that have led to this moment. I’m enjoying every single minute.
“Being able to play on the final Saturday at Wimbledon is going to be just the best experience ever.”
You're not dreaming @ashbarty.
This childhood ambition is really happening… ☺️#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/sVRxjWw3K4
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Ashleigh Barty is bidding to become the 1st No.1 seed to win #Wimbledon since Serena Williams in 2016.
She is also aiming to become the 4th junior Wimbledon champion in the Open Era to win the Venus Rosewater Dish (Ann Jones, Martina Hingis, Amelie Mauresmo). pic.twitter.com/jjMG50zRFR
Barty’s game has always appeared a perfect fit for grass and she won the junior title a decade ago aged just 15.
She demonstrated why immediately against Kerber, who has been resurgent on the big stage this tournament after winning a warm-up title on home soil in Germany.
Barty won the first three games, using her kick serve effectively before Kerber improved, slowly finding her rhythm.
Fabulous match from @ashbarty @wimbledon. Pleasure to watch her court craft. Interview after so genuine and appreciative! ? #greatperspective??
Kerber’s last victory over a top-10 player was two years ago but she began the second set much better, capitalising on a slight drop in level from her opponent and beginning to assert some authority from the baseline.
She led 3-0 and 4-1 but the advantage was slender and it was no real surprise when Barty broke back for 5-4 on a weak game from Kerber.
The German forced a tie-break but quickly found herself 6-0 down and, although she saved three match points, Barty clinched victory on her fourth opportunity.
“Dreams don't always come true, but you can fight and do everything you can to give yourself that opportunity.”
World No.1 @ashbarty is into the final, looking to become the fourth woman in the Open Era to triumph at #Wimbledon after winning the junior title ✨ pic.twitter.com/tpPpUqhw1p
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Congratulations @ashbarty – thrilled for your success. Best wishes for Saturday. ?
Barty, who did not travel at all last year once the pandemic struck, has calmly set about showing this year that she belongs at the top of the women’s game.
The 25-year-old will get her chance to hold aloft The Venus Rosewater Dish on Saturday when she takes on the winner of the second semi-final between second seed Aryna Sabalenka and Czech former No 1 Karolina Pliskova.
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