World No.1 Ash Barty takes on Karolina Pliskova in the Wimbledon final on Saturday, just one victory from fulfilling the biggest dream of her career.
In the past year, the Australian has made no secret of her desire to succeed at the All England Club, where she was a junior champion 10 years ago.
She has also progressed through the draw wearing a dress paying homage to one wore by her mentor Evonne Goolagong, who won her first Wimbledon title exactly 50 years earlier.
“It's a really special anniversary for Evonne. I couldn't be more proud to be in a position to wear an outfit inspired by her,” said Barty, after beating Angelique Kerber in straight sets in Thursday's semifinals.
REPORT: Barty to meet Pliskova in first Wimbledon final
“Now to kind of give myself a chance to create some history almost in a way that's a tribute to her is really exciting.
“I couldn't be more rapt to have that opportunity on Saturday.”
Does a campaign heavy with such symbolism mean Barty is destined for an incredible triumph?
More encouraging signs lie in the head-to-head record, which Barty leads 5-2.
However, Pliskova has won two of the most relevant meetings in that series, beating Barty in their only previous match at a Grand Slam tournament and in their most recent meeting on grass.
She also has her own slice of history to chase as she looks to become only the third Czech woman after Jana Novotna (1998) and Petra Kvitova (2011 and 2014) to win Wimbledon.
Head-to-head: Barty 5-2 Pliskova
|
Year |
Winner |
Score |
Event |
Round |
Surface |
|
2021 |
Barty |
2-6 6-1 7-5 |
Stuttgart |
QF |
Clay (indoor) |
|
2019 |
Barty |
4-6 6-2 6-3 |
WTA Finals |
SF |
Hard (indoor) |
|
2019 |
Barty |
7-6(1) 6-3 |
Miami |
F |
Hard |
|
2018 |
Pliskova |
6-4 6-4 |
US Open |
4R |
Hard |
|
2017 |
Barty |
4-6 7-6(3) 7-6(2) |
Wuhan |
QF |
Hard |
|
2016 |
Pliskova |
7-6(2) 7-6(7) |
Nottingham |
QF |
Grass |
|
2012 |
Barty |
2-6 6-3 7-6(6) |
Nottingham (ITF) |
SF |
Grass |
In Barty’s favour is the fact she won their only previous clash in a final and has also scored a win over Pliskova on grass.
The Australian has also won their past three meetings.
“We've had some good matches. Of course, I lost couple times. But I think she has extremely difficult game to play,” Pliskova conceded.
“It's going to be difficult on grass because of her slice and just her game overall.
“But, no, I think it can't be any better than that. You want to play the best player in the final. Of course, I don't want anybody else but her there.”
Pliskova has been brilliant this fortnight, not dropping a set en route to the semifinals and then playing one of the finest matches of her career in a three-set power struggle against Aryna Sabalenka.
Fourteen aces in that clash took Pliskova’s tally to a tournament-leading 54, and have helped her through to her first major final in five years.
“So far my second final, second time I'm playing against a player No.1,” smiled Pliskova, the 2016 US Open finalist who herself rose to world No.1 this time four years ago.
“It's a final. Anything can happen. Also for her, I mean, I know she has a Grand Slam, but also for her is the first Wimbledon final.
“I think we both have good chances. It's going to be hopefully good match to watch as well because with her it's always interesting.”
Indeed, Barty already experienced major success when she broke through for her first Grand Slam singles crown at Roland Garros two years ago.
But on a surface she prefers, at a tournament she cherishes above all others, winning the title here would make an achievement arguably even more special.
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Having never previously advanced beyond the fourth round at the All England Club, she has the opportunity to take one more resounding step on Saturday.
“I think Wimbledon for me has been an amazing place of learning,” said Barty, attempting to become the first Australian to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish since Goolagong in 1980.
“I think 10 years ago I came here for the first time as a junior and learned a lot in that week. Probably 2018, 2019 was some of my toughest weeks playing. To come away with our losses in those two tournaments, I learned a hell of a lot from those.
“I think a lot of the time your greatest growth comes from your darkest times. I think that's why this tournament has been so important to me.
“Just to be able to keep chipping away, keep putting yourself out there, let yourself be vulnerable, just be yourself, knowing that everything that comes with that is an opportunity to learn.
“I think that's been a massive one for us this fortnight.”