Ashleigh Barty on brink of making tennis history but missing out on world No. 1 ranking ‘not the end’

Ash Barty is just four winning sets away from the summit of women’s tennis and a Wimbledon top seeding, but the Australian says ‘if world No. 1 happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't.’

Ash Barty says failing to secure the No. 1 ranking will not “be the end of the world” after moving to within touching distance of the sport’s ranking Everest.

The Queenslander’s 10th successive victory, a straight-sets dismissal of seven-time grand slam champion Venus Williams, has her on the brink of history.

If Barty manages to win the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham, she will become the first Australian woman since Evonne Goolagong in 1976 to stand atop the world rankings.

But Barty is not losing any sleep over a possible ascension to the top.

“If world No. 1 happens, it happens,” she said.

“If it doesn't, it doesn't. It's certainly not something I'm stressed about.

“If I keep putting myself in the right position and doing the right things, it may come, but if it doesn't, it's not the end of the world.”

Barty, 23, returned to tennis from cricket three years ago ranked No. 623.

If the French Open champion rolls Czech Barbora Strycova in Saturday’s semi-finals, she will be two points behind current world No. 1 Naomi Osaka.

Should Barty advance to the final and lift the title, she will become only the 27th woman in 49 years to hold the No. 1 crown.

And she would be top seed at Wimbledon from July 1.

“It would be incredible, absolutely incredible (to reach No 1),” she said.

Ash Barty lost only seven games against Venus Williams.

“It would. But, you know, for the time being, I just have to try and think about my preparations and keeping everything exactly the same and doing what I have been doing to get myself to this point.

“It’s been working more times than not. There haven't been too many matches this year where I have walked off the court disappointed.

“I think that's the best thing is, win or lose, I know if I go about it the right way, I can walk off the court with a smile.”

Barty is making a habit of drought-breaking success.

In March, she became the first Australian to win the Miami Open.

Barty next faces Barbora Strycova in the semi-finals.

Two weeks ago, she became the first Australian woman to since Margaret Court in 1973 to win the French Open.

And with title success at Edgbaston, the Ipswich right-hander could become Australia’s first world No.1 since Lleyton Hewitt in May 2003.

Goolagong succeeded Chris Evert on April 26, 1976 and held the mantle for two weeks before the American reclaimed it.

Thirty-nine-year-old Venus was no match for the rising Aussie star.

If Barty loses the Birmingham final, she will be just two points — 6377 to 6375 — behind Osaka, the narrowest margin separating No. 1 and 2 in the history of computer rankings.

Two more wins would propel Barty to 6540 points, a lead of 163 over Osaka, who has held the ranking since winning the Australian Open on January 28.

Barty has not lost since falling to France’s Kristina Mladenovic in Rome last month.