Australia’s world number one Ash Barty is in uncharted territory at her home grand slam, securing a first-ever Australian Open semi-final berth following a 7-6(6) 6-2 victory over her AO2019 conqueror, Petra Kvitova.
The local hope weathered the Czech seventh seed’s powerful onslaught with some dialled-in counterpunching in a marathon opening set, before her supreme fitness allowed her to storm through the second.
Barty brought up her first match point with an ace, and booked her spot with another sublime serve.
More to come…
Sofia Kenin reaches maiden grand slam semi-final
14th seed Sofia Kenin thwarted the historic Australian Open run of one of the women’s tour’s flashiest players in Ons Jabeur to punch her ticket to the final four.
The 21-year-old American, whose game is trademarked by remarkable consistency, weathered a 10-minute long service game in the second set to win the entertaining fourth round clash 6-4 6-4.
The result continues her best-ever run in a grand slam, besting last year’s fourth round appearance at the French Open.
“I’m super excited, it was a tough match,” Kenin told Nine post-match.
“[That service game] was a tough moment, didn’t realise it was 10 minutes, she was playing well, it felt pretty long that game and after that I felt like I was gaining momentum and started playing better.”
Jabeur’s ability to improvise from all corners of the court shone from the first point, rocketing a forehand crosscourt winner on the run, as she endeavoured to become the first Arab — male or female — to make a grand slam semi-final.
Her turbulence proved costly, gifting Kenin an early break for 2-1, before recovering the deficit at 3-3.
With Kenin breaking back immediately, Jabeur’s game came to life, rewarding her with a handful of break point opportunities. But Kenin’s healthy margin on her shots ensured she consolidated the advantage, sealed with a blistering backhand winner.
After seeing two set points chances go begging on Jabeur’s next service game, Kenin consolidated her sixth set point following a pinpoint drop shot-lob combo that drifted over the Tunisian’s racquet.
Both players began the next set swinging with greater liberty, conjuring up rallies that drew gasps from the captivated crowd.
At 2-1, Jabeur improvised drop shot evaded Kenin’s reach at the net, while the American capped off a gripping backhand exchange with a forehand winner into open space at 3-2.
Finds the space superbly! Jabeur sends Kenin the wrong way!
Watch: @Channel9
Stream: https://t.co/YVc8u4pCVY#9WWOS #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/4Az5fgJHPi— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 28, 2020
Kenin held her nerve to serve out a 10-minute long game, and from there, the momentum distinctly shifted over to her side of the court, as Jabeur’s audacious play yielded more failure than success.
With two unforced errors bringing Jabeur’s tally to 36, Kenin sealed the 92-minute encounter on her first match point with an unreturnable wide serve.
Keen-eyed punters among the Rod Laver Aren crowd may have spotted the Moscow-born Kenin tuned in to the Kvitova-Barty encounter.
“I’d probably [be in the crowd]. It’s going to be a really exciting match. I’m in the semis, at this point anyone I’m playing will play really well.”
Petra or Ash?@SofiaKenin shares her thoughts on who she might face next.#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/dcJqCTbDRr
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2020
The post Australian Open: Ash Barty storms to first-ever semi-final appeared first on The New Daily.
**Business and Marketing support on best price; Hit the link now----> http://bit.ly/2HsQmSi