Ashleigh Barty beats Petra Kvitova to reach semi-finals
Ashleigh Barty sealed her place in the last four with an ace
(Web Desk) - Ashleigh Barty became the first Australian woman to reach the semi-finals at her home Grand Slam for 36 years with victory over Petra Kvitova in an absorbing encounter in Melbourne.
The top seed made 2019 runner-up Kvitova pay for a host of missed chances in a 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 victory at the Australian Open.
French Open champion Barty will face American 14th seed Sofia Kenin next.
Kenin reached her first major semi after a 6-4 6-4 win over Ons Jabeur.
The last Australian woman to reach the semi-finals in the singles at Melbourne Park was Wendy Turnbull in 1984, who was the most recent finalist from the home nation in 1980.
