World number one Ashleigh Barty is through to her first women’s singles final at Wimbledon.
The 25-year-old will take on Karolina Pliskova for the Venus Rosewater Dish on Saturday.
Here, the PA news agency charts the Australian’s path to the trophy showdown.
First round – beat Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1 6-7 (1) 6-1
Barty was playing her first match since withdrawing from the French Open with a hip injury and Suarez Navarro her final one at Wimbledon before retirement after recovering from cancer. Barty lost her only set of the tournament so far but hit back strongly on an emotional occasion.
Second round – beat Anna Blinkova 6-4 6-3
Barty beat Anna Blinkova despite serving nine double faults (John Walton/PA)
Barty was not at her best against 22-year-old Russian Blinkova, hitting nine double faults, but was rewarded for an aggressive game plan with a straight-sets win nonetheless.
Third round – beat Katerina Siniakova 6-3 7-5
Barty equalled her previous best run at the All England club by defeating Czech Siniakova. The Australian was broken serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set but forged ahead again with a precision lob and this time completed the job.
Fourth round – beat Barbora Krejcikova 7-5 6-3
Ashleigh Barty celebrates her win against Barbora Krejcikova (Florian Eisele/AELTC Pool)
The 25-year-old trod new ground at Wimbledon by ending the winning run of surprise French Open champion Krejcikova. Barty trailed early on against the Czech but hit back to take the opening set and completed the job in straight sets.
Quarter-finals – beat Ajla Tomljanovic 6-1 6-3
Barty’s fellow Australian Tomljanovic was through to the last eight at a slam for the first time and found herself swiftly dispatched on Centre Court as the top seed continued to improve.
Semi-finals – beat Angelique Kerber 6-3 7-6 (3)
BARTY MAGIC 💫@ashbarty secures her spot in the #Wimbledon final, defeating Angelique Kerber 6-3 7-6(3)
She becomes the first Aussie ladies’ singles finalist at the tournament since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980 🇦🇺#GoAussies pic.twitter.com/nswa4cCARw
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) July 8, 2021
Barty knew she would have to play her best match of the tournament so far and she did so, flying out of the blocks to open up a 3-0 lead and showing all the skills that make her the best player in the world right now. She was 4-1 down in the second set but hit back impressively.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here