Ash Barty one match from defending her Miami Open title

Ash Barty is within one match of successfully defending a title for the first time after reaching the final of the Miami Open.

Australia’s Ash Barty plays a backhand against Ukrainian Elina Svitolinain Miami

Ash Barty is within one match of successfully defending a title for the first time after reaching the final of the Miami Open with another superb performance on Friday morning.

The 24-year-old, who has already managed to see off the threat posed to her No 1 ranking by Naomi Osaka this week, defeated Elina Svitolina 6-3 6-3 in 1hr 20min.

In the early stages of their, Svitolina, the world No 5, had the better of the Australian, winning their first five matches.

But Barty defeated the Ukrainian in the final of the WTA Tour Championships in China in 2019 and continued a superb week in Florida when she was far too good in the semi-final.

“It wasn’t easy today, by any means,” Barty said. “I felt like I played a really good match today. It is a bit of a fine line at times, but I am really happy.

“Elena is an exceptional competitor. She will never give you a free point, no matter what the score is.

“You have to earn every single point. You have to bring your best and I was able to do that today.”

Barty’s success in Miami two years ago, where she defeated Karolina Pliskova in the final, was the biggest of her career to that stage and saw her break into the top 10.

On her way to the title, she posted three victories over players ranked inside the top 10.

In reaching the decider this week, in her first tournament outside Australia since her success of Svitolina in Shenzhen back in 2019, she has beaten two major winners and another two top 10 ranked rivals.

“It is incredible,” she said. “It is a tournament I have so many good memories playing here. Hopefully we can do all right in a couple of days time.”

Barty started well, breaking Svitlolina in the opening game of the semi-final.

The point she played to move to a 2-0 lead provided a perfect illustration of the Australian’s athleticism and court craft.

Her rival struck a groundstroke that clipped the net and fell on the Australian’s side.

Barty was forced to dash forward, but was able to punch a forehand deep to Svitolina, who subsequently lobbed her rival, forcing the Queenslander to sprint back to the baseline.

Despite her trajectory, the 24-year-old was able to balance herself and rip a forehand before following that shot with an exquisite backhand drop shot, hit from beyond the baseline, which left her rival floundering.

While Barty had the upper-hand throughout the opening set, she was tested to hold the advantage.

But the right-hander was able to play with enough poise on serve to do so before breaking again to take the first set 6-3.

Early chances to break Svitolina went begging at the start of the second set, but the Brisbane resident soon had control, breaking for a 3-1 lead.

While her rival retrieved that break immediately, the Australian largely served well and was able to dominate Svitolina’s service games, using great variety to unsettle her rival.

The Australian awaits the winner of a semi-final between 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu and Maria Sakkari from Greece.