World No.1 Ash Barty will play 23-time major champion Serena Williams for a place in the WTA Yarra Valley Classic Final.
Barty and Williams both needed match tiebreaks to come through their quarterfinals at MCA on Friday, with Barty seeing off Shelby Rogers in the day’s first match before Williams subdued Danielle Collins.
Sandwiched between those contests was an AO 2020 final rematch between Sofia Kenin and Garbine Muguruza, but unlike last year, Muguruza was ruthless in demolishing Kenin 6-2 6-2 to join Barty and Williams in the last four.
In an incredible day of women’s tennis, top-five stars Simona Halep, Naomi Osaka and Elina Svitolina will play their WTA Gippsland Open quarterfinals on the same court later on Friday.
Williams, Barty victorious
Williams was brilliant in shutting out Collins in the first set, before the 13th seed - who has a history of strong performances in Australia - was able to push her compatriot more effectively in the baseline rallies.
In the ensuing match tiebreak, Williams went up a gear, cracking her serve at speeds approaching 200km/h and taking charge of points with first-strike tennis.
“I’ve been working on my serve a lot, because it’s such a good weapon and I want to keep it that way after all these years,” Williams said after the 6-2 4-6 [10-6] victory.
“It felt good to get through that in the tiebreak. Danielle plays so well in Melbourne, and actually around the world. I knew today wouldn’t be easy, so I’m glad to get through it.”
Williams' win set up a clash with Barty, which will mark just their third career meeting and first since Roland Garros in 2018.
"I always love testing myself against Serena,” said Barty, who has never defeated the American.
"I feel fit. I feel healthy. Obviously a little bit of soreness is good, knowing that you've been able to test yourself.
"It's nice to get into a routine. I think the rust is always there for everyone the first few matches of the season. But without a doubt, I felt better and better each match.”
This tournament is Barty’s first in 11 months, yet the victory over Rogers was her third straight this week.
After leaping out to a 5-2 lead in the opening set, Barty struggled with Rogers’ consistency and relentlessness from the baseline, and was forced to a match tiebreak. There, her backhand slice and court nous shone through while Rogers’ game broke down, and the Australian eventually sealed a 7-5 2-6 [10-4] win.
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Melbourne Summer Series women's wrap: Serena, Barty set up tasty semi clash - Australian Open
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