Tennis: Sublime Ash Barty proves she has the keys to unlock Australian Open success

Ash Barty has annihilated Madison Keys to set up a blockbuster Saturday night of finals in Melbourne.

Ash Barty ripped through her service games with neither fuss nor bother. Picture: Getty Images

Ash Barty has annihilated Madison Keys to set up a blockbuster Saturday night of Australian Open finals at Melbourne Park.

The sublime Barty will chase her maiden Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup before the first all-Australian men’s doubles decider in 42 years.

On a memorable day and night inside a rocking Rod Laver Arena, Barty beat Keys 6-1 6-3 to reach the final. It was textbook Barty, seamless Barty, imperious Barty. The Barty that has walked, talked and played like a true World No. 1 and Wimbledon champion from the moment she arrived in Melbourne. Her semi-final triumph was so no-nonsense Steve Waugh, sitting in the crowd, nodded his appreciation.

Barty had a curious moment before the match. Walking to the entrance to Rod Laver Arena, she went straight past a lady carrying the trophy she’s trying to win. Barty did a double-take, then kept on walking. She might get her hands on it soon enough.

When Australian songstress Kate Ceberano warmed up the crowd with a rendition of Girl On Fire, she was on to something. Barty played with freedom. Authority. Wizardry. She expertly pulled the strings until Keys unravelled, sticking to the script that says the 100th Australian Open women’s title should go to her.

Ash Barty played with freedom. Authority. Wizardry. Picture: Getty Images

The crowd was upbeat. Joyous. Does Australia have a more popular athlete? Probably not. Barty was comfortable, right at home. The American was overwhelmed and overawed by Barty’s vast shotmaking repertoire and the parochial audience. Barty ripped through her service games with neither fuss nor bother. Then she got to work on Keys’ serve as if she was attempting to solve a riddle. Didn’t take long.

This was billed as the toughest match of Barty’s tournament. The tale of the tape had Keys 13cm taller, 4kg heavier and serving 10kmh faster. But the Australian has sufficient heart, ability and confidence to run rings against powerful opponents such as Keys.

Barty is just one win shy of becoming the first homegrown Open champion since Christine O’Neil in 1978.

“It’s just incredible,” she said after the match. “I love this tournament. We get to play in our own backyard at a home major and now we have the chance to play for a title. I’ll come out here with a smile on my face and we’ll see what happens.”

Barty admitted she was crying after Dylan Alcott’s farewell match earlier at Melbourne Park on Thursday.

The Australian of the Year was beaten in straight sets by Dutchman Sam Schroder in the quad wheelchair final before declaring, “See ya!”

Barty said she wiped the tears from her eyes and reminded herself to get her act together. Asked if she could win the final and break Australia’s 44-year singles drought, she said: “Absolutely. Let’s do it.”

And then she gulped down her normal post-match drink. A chocolate milk. Unreal. Keys doffed her cap and said, “This is best she’s ever been playing.”

Madison Keys during the battle with Ash Barty on Thursday night. Picture: AFP

American Danielle Collins joined Barty in the final by beating Poland’s Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-1. Collins is a brawling, big-hitting, shrieking, combative sort of player with Danimal written on her racquet bag.

Barty is 3-1 in the head-to-head but Collins won their most recent meeting, at last year’s Adelaide International. Rod Laver tweeted late on Thursday night: “Congratulations on another outstanding performance. I know you can go all the way.”

Barty said: “To be in the finals weekend of your home grand slam is what a lot of Aussies dream of. It’s going to be a great experience and I can’t wait to go out and enjoy it.

“I do remember my first experience here at the Australian open. I would have bene only 11 or 12 years old and came down for a training camp in the second week of the Australian Open. It was really eye-opening. My first taste of it was in the juniors and I really loved it.

Ash Barty, left, and Madison Keys at the end of their semi-final on Thursday night. Picture: AFP

“Being able to get a taste of that kind of lit the flame and you kind of wonder what you can achieve. You wonder what you can do.”

Asked how she would spend the time before the final, Barty said: “Same old. I’m a creature of habit. Not a lot will change for us. The preparation stays the same. The processes are the same. I’m able to switch off when I’m not here and that makes the time when we are on site more enjoyable, more special. And then we switch on and get ready to go. It’s pretty easy for me to switch off. When I’m not here, I don’t really think about the tennis too much. I’ve got the women’s Ashes to watch, which is brilliant. Read a book, a few coffees and we’re set.”

Earlier, Australia’s wildcard doubles duo of Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios created and then revelled in a rowdy atmosphere to beat third-seeded duo Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos and advance to the championship match against countrymen Matt Ebden and Max Purcell. Not since 1997 has a pair of Australian men won the title. Not since 1978 has an Aussie woman held the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.