Australian Open: Final! Ashleigh Barty dissects Madison Keys
Tournament favorite Ashleigh Barty entered the final of the Australian Open 2022 with a gala performance. The Australian defeated Madison Keys 6-1 and 6-3.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jan 27, 2022, 10:49 am
One more win, then Ashleigh Barty has actually made it: the long-awaited home win at the Australian Open in Melbourne! And after the gala performance at 6: 1 and 6: 3 against Madison Keys, who would doubt that Barty can also take the last step? In the final on Saturday, the winner from the game between Iga Swiatek and Danielle Collins is waiting for the local hero.
The match against Keys went according to the taste of the world number one - and the spectators in the Rod Laver Arena. Barty hardly gave her opponent any air to breathe, Keys could hardly open up her dreaded offensive game. Even as a setback, the American was mostly lost. Especially since she hardly knew what to do with Barty's impact on the body.
Next to Barty also Kyrgios in the final
After losing the first set, Keys, who had impressively defeated French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova in the quarterfinals, found the match better. But couldn't use a break chance to make it 3:2. Barty did better moments later - and took a 4-2 lead with a forehand pass. After 62 minutes of play, Ashleigh Barty was allowed to celebrate.
Barty could become the first Australian to win a home grand slam since 1978 with a win in the final. At that time, Christine O'Neil was able to prevail against Betsy Nagelsen from the USA. For Australian tennis fans, Thursday was a good day when Ashleigh Barty reached the final: Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis had already reached the final in men's doubles. Where they meet their compatriots Max Purcell and Matthew Ebden on Saturday.
Here is the individual tableau for women
laver arena