Australia’s Ashleigh Barty is through to the semi-finals of the Sydney International after defeating Elise Mertens of Belgium on Ken Rosewall Arena 6-3 6-3.
Sydney, Australia – 10 January 2019: Ashleigh Barty in her quarterfinal match at the Sydney International tennis on Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney Olympic Park. (Photo by Rob Keating/robiciatennis.com)
The first break of serve of the match was by Mertens in the third game, giving her a 2-1 lead, but Barty went on to win the next four games putting her front 5-2. Mertens then held her serve in the next game, and Barty served for the set at 5-3. A good serve out wide that Mertens was unable to reach on Barty’s third set point gave her the set.
In the second set, Barty first broke to lead 3-2, but Mertens broke back, levelling the score. The Australian was able to break again in the next game, giving her the lead again. She then consolidated to have a 5-3 lead, and was able to take the match on the Mertens serve.
Sydney, Australia – 10 January 2019: Elise Mertens serving against Ash Barty. (Photo by Rob Keating)
In her press conference following the match, Barty said that “it was important to try and get ahead in games today. Elise is a great front-runner. I knew I had to take control of those first two or three points in games to give myself a chance.” She also said that her only “blemish” was a sloppy service game in the second set, otherwise, she is happy with how she has been performing and she is just “out there enjoying my tennis,” but it looking to go one better then last year.
In the semi-finals tomorrow, Barty will play Kiki Bertens, who defeated Yulia Putintseva in straight sets 6-2 6-2.
