Ashleigh Barty the first Australian woman to make Sydney International final in 13 years
IN a battle of the coffee buddies, Ash Barty triumphed over Daria Gavrilova to become the first Australian woman to make the Sydney International final in 13 years.
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ASH Barty will need to become the first player to defeat Angelique Kerber in 2018 if she is to win the Sydney International.
The Australian takes on the former world No.1 at Ken Rosewall Arena after both advanced to the decider in impressive fashion.
Barty looked down and out after Daria Gavrilova took the first set 6-3 comfortably, but rebounded to win the next two 6-4 6-2.
Kerber, meanwhile, breezed into the decider with a 6-2 6-3 win over Italian Camila Giorgi to make it eight straight wins to start the year. Barty defeated Kerber in their previous meeting two months ago in China.
“Ash is a great player, she played unbelievable last year,” Kerber said. “I played the last match of 2017 against her, so it was not so long ago. I know what to expect. Actually, I’m looking forward for the final. I think I will try to enjoy it, as well, but also going out, focusing on my game like I did it in the last few days, and just trying [to be] aggressive and trying to win another match here.”
Making the final in Sydney ensures Barty will carry the heaviest expectation at next week’s Australian Open, which she enters as Australia’s highest-ranked female.
“It’s exciting going into my home slam as No.1,” she said. “Although it is a nice thing, it’s not something that I focus on. It’s more about me playing matches the right way and doing the right things on and off the court to try and get the results, and to be able to have that No.1 ranking is a bonus.
“There is nothing better than playing at home, playing in front of a home crowd. Regardless whether you’re No.1, No.10, or 100 in the world, it’s the best feeling for an Australian to be playing at the Australian Open.
“We are extremely lucky to be a grand slam nation, and to be able to start our year at home is really exciting.”
Barty, 21, reeled off straight sets wins against Veronica Cepede Royg, Ellen Perez and Barbora Strycova this week before rallying against her coffee buddy Gavrilova.
“It’s nice to make a final at home, but I think in my eyes it’s perfect preparation for next week,” said Barty, the first Australian woman in a Sydney final since Alicia Molik defeated Sam Stosur in 2005.
“I’d love to go one further and hold the trophy up here. It’s nice to be able to get a lot of matches here and be rewarded with the final.”
The world No.19 begins her Australian Open campaign on Monday against Belarusian Aryna Sabalenko, who is ranked No.69.
Gavrilova, Australia’s second highest-ranked woman at No.25 in the world, was left frustrated by her errors, notably one of seven double faults serving into the net twice at 4-all in the second set.
“I feel like double faults are not helping me at all,” said Gavrilova, who has made the fourth round of the Australian Open in the previous two years and will begin her 2018 campaign against a qualifier.
“But overall, I think I’m on the right path and playing good tennis. I’ve only three or two days, so it’s just chipping away and keep working on my weapons.
“Last year I actually didn’t play that well (in the Australian Open) but I was just competing, I was fighting hard. In the end I was getting the wins.
“You just compete with what you have on a day, and it’s never easy. Like you could be playing someone outside the top 100 or you could be playing someone inside the top 10. They could have a good day or a bad day.”
Originally published as Ashleigh Barty the first Australian woman to make Sydney International final in 13 years
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