For the fourth match in succession under the hefty weight of home pressure, Ash Barty stood before a taller, stronger opponent capable of hitting just about every tennis player in the world off the court. Each time her opponents have arrived on Rod Laver Arena armed with their biggest weapons, it has taken Barty little more than an hour to dismantle them with relative ease.
On Thursday night it was Madison Keys’ turn to experience the deep discomfort of Barty’s game, and she was beaten as soundly as all the others. After just 62 minutes Barty won 6-1, 6-3 to reach the Australian Open final for the first time. She has dropped just 21 games across six matches.
