Barty’s brilliant birthday bash: Aussie fights way into Stuttgart final

The Aussie champion is one win away from her third title in 2021 after delivering another come-from-behind victory — on her birthday.

Ash Barty won her singles semi-final match against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina. (Photo by Marijan Murat / POOL / AFP)

World number one Ashleigh Barty celebrated her 25th birthday by fighting back to beat Elina Svitolina in the semi-finals of the WTA clay-court tournament in Stuttgart on Sunday morning (AEST).

Despite losing the first set in just a over half an hour, Barty hit back to seal a 4-6 7-6 (7/5) 6-2 win over the Ukrainian fourth seed.

The Australian will meet fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka in Sunday’s final after the Belarusian later saw off Simona Halep in straight sets.

“It’s important to believe. Regardless of the score, I always try and find the right way,” said Barty, who also lost the opening set of Friday’s quarter-final against Karolina Pliskova.

“She is one of the best competitors on the tour, so I knew it would be a very hard fought match and the margins would decide it.”

Barty was presented with a bouquet of flowers with “Happy Birthday” played over the arena’s sound system after the match.

Happy birthday, Ash! (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

But she had little time to celebrate the win or her birthday as she had to partner Jennifer Brady against Vivian Heisen and Wang Yafan in the doubles semi-final.

However, the Australian was seeking no sympathy despite the quick turnaround.

“I love to play tennis and I love to compete, so to do it on my birthday is even more special,” added Barty who has already won the Melbourne and Miami tournaments this season.

Sabalenka is into the second clay-court final of her career after powering past Halep for a 6-3 6-2 win after converting the first of her three match points with an ace.

“I didn’t have enough sleep and I didn’t want to stay on court too long,” quipped Sabalenka, who beat Anett Kontaveit just before midnight in Friday’s quarter-final.

“It was a good match from me and I prepared well.”

Sabalenka has won three of her six games with Barty, but lost their most recent meeting in the Miami quarter-finals in early April.

“She’s in form and will be at 100 per cent, I’ll do my best and see how it goes,” added Sabalenka.

Ash Barty is one win away from her third title in 2021. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

— AFP