After a slow start against Venus Williams, Ash Barty has stormed back to advance to the semifinals in Birmingham. That now sees the Australian two wins from claiming the no. 1 ranking in women’s tennis which could follow on from her French Open title.
Embed from Getty Images
Barty held to love in her first service game but hit wide off a forehand to give Venus to break points in the fourth game.
Venus converted with the shot of the match as she reached behind her to pull the ball back across court for a winner. Venus consolidated the break to lead 4-1.
Barty then surged back to win the next five games and claim the first set. Venus was up 40-15 in the seventh game before conceding the break.
The world no. 2 held for 4-4 then another break came against Venus to see Barty serving for the set. Barty held one set point at 40-30 and had Venus stranded at the net, but the Australian hit the ball into the net.
A good wide first serve followed and Venus pushed the return back down the middle, Barty stepped-in to hit a forehand winner to have another set point.
A long rally followed and Venus worked her way to the net. A lob by Barty sailed long to again not close out the set after a 20 shot rally.
A double fault gave Venus a break back point. A shot just over the baseline saw that chance disappear. Great movement by Barty saw her earn another set point. A shot from Venus clipped the net and Barty reacted quickly to hit a winner. An Ace sealed the set 6-4.
Venus served at 60 % to Barty’s 52 % in the first set. Barty hit 10 winners to two from Venus and the Australian hit 12 unforced errors to 17 from her opponent.
In the second set, Venus held serve in the opening game to end the run of 5 straight games for Barty.
Barty had a break point in the third game and Venus conceded the break when serving a double fault. The no. 2 seed held to lead 3-1.
Venus was up 40-0 in the seventh game and hit a backhand winner to take the game. She slowly walked to her chair.
Barty held in the next game to lead 5-3. At deuce in the next game Venus was at the net and in a good position, Barty’s passing shot was covered by Williams but clipped the net. Venus reacted to get her racquet on the ball, but it fell into the net to give Barty a match point.
A shot just wide saw Barty miss that opportunity to close out the match. Barty had another chance after seeing Venus hit into the net. Barty brought up her 10th consecutive victory after Venus sprayed a shot wide.
Barty took the match 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 25 minutes.
Embed from Getty Images
“I feel like every match is getting a little bit better and better on the grass, and it’s just nice to give myself another opportunity to get on the grass courts and to play another singles match,” Barty said in her post-match press conference.
“It’s always a privilege to play against a champion like Venus,” Barty added. “She’s done incredible things for our sport. She’s inspired generations to pick up a tennis racquet. Any time you get to play against her, it’s a real privilege.”
The Australian was moving well, hitting the right shot at the right time and now faces Barbora Strycova from the Czech Republic who had earlier defeated Kristyna Pliskova.
Embed from Getty Images
Barty ended the match with 21 winners to 11 and she had 25 unforced errors to 28 from Venus Williams.
The other semifinal sees Barty’s doubles partner for Birmingham, Julia Goerges take on Croatia’s Petra Martic.
Embed from Getty Images
Barty and Goerges are also still in the doubles competition and play Anna-Lena Groenefeld from Germany and Demi Schuurs from the Netherlands.
Leave a Reply