World No.1 Ash Barty continues to break new ground, gaining revenge over No.7 seed Petra Kvitova 7-6(6) 6-2 to surge into her maiden Australian Open semifinal.
The home charge was dismantled in straight sets by the explosive power of two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova at this stage last year at Rod Laver Arena.
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Back on centre stage and top seed Barty utilised her full all-court craft to become the first Australian woman to reach the Australian Open final four since 1984.
The reigning Roland Garros champion will face American prodigy Sofia Kenin in the semifinals.
“This is absolutely incredible, I knew I had to bring my absolute best today against Petra. It's a challenge. I love it. I love testing myself against Petra. She has this way of bringing out the very best in me, Barty said.
"She came at me with all guns blazing. That first set could have gone either way. It was really important to try and get my nose ahead when I could. It was nice to save a set point and get a roll on early in the second set with a couple of quick breaks,” she said, before praising her coach Craig Tyzzer.
“He’s Coach of the Year (2019) for a reason. He carries his trophy in his backpack, just because he likes to look at it, don’t you 'Tyzz',” joked the top seed. “But he does everything to the nth degree, he’s extremely disciplined looking at the other players for me. He’s incredibly diligent at what he does and that’s why he is the best.”
2019 finalist Kvitova was committed to heavy hitting and all-out aggression from the very first ball. Barty, having defeated the Czech in all three meetings since the Australian Open duel last January, needed no warning of Kvitova’s capabilities, but the force flying over the net was drawing gasps from the crowd.
In a frenetic start, Kvitova’s delicate drop shot and bludgeoned returns at 1-1 broke the Barty serve to love.
Nervous murmurs swirled around the stands at the changeover, but within the past 12 months the Australian has topped the rankings and won a major - the knowhow, the drive and finding a way to win is Barty’s speciality.
Nine successive points for the top seed and Barty was in the ascendancy.
However, Kvitova was relentless and Barty was struggling to keep the ball out of the world No.7’s strike zone.
The Czech managed to earn five break points at 3-3, Barty being pushed to the limit of her defences. Springing into the air, the home favourite struck an inside out forehand winner to claim a vital 10-minute hold.
Neither player could conjure up a consistent threat until the captivating tiebreak. Kvitova accelerated 3-1 in front, before one of the most mesmerising points of the tournament.
Barty retrieved a couple of smashes, kept digging out low shots, was dragged across the confines of the court and was finally rewarded by drawing the error of Kvitova’s racquet.
That was the spark as Barty grabbed the crucial points to walk to the sit-down boosted by a roar from the ardent home crowd.
The opener might have been the ultimate test of Barty’s resolve and patience, but the world No.1 justified her ranking in the second set, mixing up the play with aplomb, keeping Kvitova’s missile shots missing the target.
Barty was in her element, her hustle was dissolving the Czech’s armoury and the 23-year-old motored to 4-0 up.
Kvitova halved the deficit by pummelling a devastating combination of shots, giving Barty one final test.
It wasn’t enough, the world No.1 proved why she is top, continuing to absorb the expectations and is now only two matches away from the title.
“Petra, in my eyes, is the perfect competitor. She comes out, fights her absolute best, does everything she possibly can. You never have Petra until the last point is played,” added Barty, hailing her opponent.
“Regardless of whether she wins or loses, she always has a big grin walking up to the net. She’s a lovely person, I think that’s what has made her so good over an extended period. I love testing myself against her.”
Next up for Barty is the soaring American Kenin, who dispatch Ons Jabeur earlier on Tuesday.
“Obviously she’s having an incredible run,” continued Barty ahead of facing the No.14 seed, enjoying a favourable 4-1 head-to-head over the 21-year-old.
“She's an exceptional competitor as well. Loves to put herself out there, test herself on the biggest stage.
“She’s really developed her game over the past 12 to 18 months and I’ve had some very tough matches against her.
“She has a great knack of controlling the court from the centre of the court and being that first-strike player. It's going to be important for me to try and nullify that if I can.
“So it’s about me getting my running shoes on again, bring variety and try and bring the match onto my terms as much as possible.
“I’m looking forward to it. The semifinals of the Australian Open, I’m going to have nothing but a massive smile on my face when I walk out here on this beautiful court.”