Ash Barty beats Petra Kvitova to become first Aussie woman to reach Australian Open semi-final in 36 years

Joe Krishnan28 January 2020

Ashleigh Barty has advanced to the Australian Open semi-finals for the first time after battling past Petra Kvitova.

The world number one edged a gruelling first set tiebreak which lasted over an hour against the powerful Czech.

But once she had the lead, the 23-year-old proved she was worthy of her top-seed status by securing a double break on her way to sealing a 7-6 (6), 6-2 triumph in an hour and 44 minutes at the Rod Laver Arena.

It was the best perfect form of revenge for Barty, who lost to Kvitova at this stage last year in straight sets.

In reaching the semi-finals, she becomes the first Australian woman to reach the last four on her home turf since Wendy Turnbull achieved the feat back in 1984.

In Pictures | Australian Open 2020

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It was early in the day for the headline match and spectators were still making their way to Rod Laver Arena as the contest began.

Kvitova was not hanging around, crushing the ball into the corners to break for 2-1 but then playing an error-strewn game to hand it straight back.

It was the theme of the set, with the Czech, who was beaten in the final by Naomi Osaka 12 months ago, going for broke and seeing mixed results.

Barty played her part, using her all-court skills to deflect Kvitova's power and digging in with all she had when it got tight.

She saved five break points in a long seventh game and two more at 5-5 before winning the final three points of the tiebreak.

Having worked so hard to gain the advantage, Barty was not about to let it go, and she clinched victory with an ace after a gruelling battle with Kvitova.

Barty will face Sofia Kenin for a place in Saturday's final after the young American beat Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-4.

Additional reporting from the Press Association.

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