Ash Barty through to Sydney International final, beating Kiki Bertens

Ash Barty has reached the final of the Sydney International with a tense three-set victory over World No. 9 Kiki Bertens.

Ash Barty has reached the final of the Sydney International with a tense three-set victory over World No. 9 Kiki Bertens. Barty won 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 7-5 in another massive confidence boost ahead of next week’s Australian Open.

The match went down to the wire. Barty held her nerve.

Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands yells out while playing Ash Barty. Picture: AP

She lost ten straight points from 4-1 in the opening tie-breaker. But Barty has proved she’s more calm than just about every one of her rivals on the women’s tour. Plenty of players shriek in panic after the loss of a big point like it’s the shower scene from Psycho. Barty’s mood rarely swings. Fist-pumps are forceful yet understated. She doesn’t beat herself up over errors. There’s a deep-seated confidence and calmness that will be worth its weight in silverware in the years to come.

After losing those ten straight points, she’s won the 11th with poise.

Increasingly, there’s a lot to like ahead of the Open.