Australian Open 2022: Ash Barty defeats Madison Keys to book place in women’s final

Ash Barty will walk out on Rod Laver Arena tonight as the first Australian woman to play in a home Grand Slam final in 42 years. But she says she’s ready.

Ash Barty has annihilated Madison Keys to set up a blockbuster Saturday night of Australian Open finals at Melbourne Park.

The imperious Barty will chase her maiden Daphne Ackhurst Memorial Cup before the first All-Australian men’s doubles decider in 42 years.

On a memorable day and night inside a rocking Rod Laver Arena on Thursday, Barty beat Keys 6-1, 6-3 to reach her maiden Open decider.

It was textbook Barty, seamless Barty, imperious Barty.

The Barty that has walked, talked and played like a true World No. 1 and Wimbledon champion from the moment she arrived in Melbourne.

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Ash Barty is through to her maiden Australian Open final. Picture: Michael Klein

And, now, Barty says she will “absolutely embrace” the hype of playing in a home Grand Slam final - the first Australian woman to do so in 42 years.

“You have to. It’s fun. It’s brilliant to be playing in the business end of your home slam. I’m not gonna lie about that. It’s amazing,” she said.

“I think being able to experience it multiple times has been incredible, but Saturday’s going to be a new experience for me. So I go out there and embrace it, smile, try and do the best that I can and whatever happens happens.

“It’s been an incredible January, an incredible summer for us. Yeah, I’m really looking forward to having one last crack here to really go out there and enjoy it.”

Barty will face Danielle Collins for a shot at tennis history after the American also raced through her semi-final, defeating Iga Świątek in straight sets 6-4 6-1.

“Danielle has done incredibly well here in Australia before. I mean, we have played in Adelaide a couple of times. We have played on clay before. I think the way she’s able to control the baseline and really take the game on she’s one of the most fierce competitors out here,” Barty said.

“She loves to get in your face and loves to really take it on.

“If we happen to match up on Saturday, it’s going to be no different. It’s going to be a challenge for me to try and neutralize as best that I can, but it is certainly nice to see her back out here playing her best stuff.”

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Barty will embrace the hype of playing in a home Grand Slam final. Picture: Michael Klein

Her semi-final triumph was so no-nonsense that Steve Waugh, sitting in the crowd, was nodding his appreciation.

Barty had a curious moment before the match. Walking to the entrance to the court, she went straight past a lady carrying the trophy she’s trying to win.

Barty did a double-take, put her head down and kept on walking. She might get her hands on it soon enough.

When Australian songstress Kate Ceberano warmed up the crowd with a rendition of Girl On Fire, she was on to something. Barty played with freedom. Authority. Wizardry. She pulled the strings until Keys unraveled.

Barty started ablaze and stayed there. As if she agreed with the script that says the 100th Australian Open women’s title should and would go to her. We’ll see.

Keys lost a point in the opening game and shouted, “No!” It would become her most common refrain. When Barty broke Keys’ first service game with a spectacular running crosscourt winner, she pumped her fist and said it without saying it. Yes.

The crowd was upbeat. Joyous. Does Australia have a more popular athlete?

Probably not. Barty was comfortable. Right at home. Keys was overwhelmed and overawed by Barty’s vast shotmaking repertoire and the parochial audience.

Barty ripped through her service games with neither fuss nor bother. Then she got to work on Keys’ serve as if she was attempting to solve a riddle.

Barty took less than an hour to defeat Madison Keys in straight sets. Picture: Michael Klein

This was billed as the toughest match of Barty’s tournament.

The tale of the tape had Keys 13cm taller, four kilograms heavier and serving 10km/h faster. Barty’s just three apples high at 165cm and tipping the scales at just 62kg. But she has sufficient heart, ability and ever-increasing confidence to run rings against powerful opponents like Keys.

A little Aussie battler has fought her way to the table of world sport. The real surprise with Barty this year? She’s developed forehand and service power that packs as big a punch as anyone’s.

Earlier, Australia’s wildcard doubles duo of Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios created and then revelled in a rowdy atmosphere to beat the third-seeded duo of Marcelo Granollers and Horacio Zeballos and advance to the championship match against quiet-achieving countrymen Matt Ebden and Max Purcell. Dylan Alcott lost his quad wheelchair singles final to Dutchman Sam Schroder before giving a heartfelt speech upon retirement. The freshly-minted Australian of the Year finished by asking the crowd if he should come back. “Just kidding,” he said. “See ya!”