Australian Open: Ashleigh Barty becomes the FIRST home player to reach women’s final in 42 YEARS

Ashleigh Barty defeated Madison Keys to become the first Australian woman to reach the final of her home grand slam for more than 40 years.

The world No 1 went into the semi-final on an expectant Rod Laver Arena having not come close to dropping a set all tournament and eased to a 6-1 6-3 victory in only 62 minutes.

Australia has been waiting for a women’s singles finalist since Wendy Turnbull back in 1980, with Chris O’Neal the last home champion in the women’s or men’s singles two years earlier. 

Ashleigh Barty beat Madison Keys in straight sets to reach the Australian Open singles final

Barty (left) becomes the first Australian woman to reach the final of her home grand slam since Wendy Turnbull (right) back in 1980

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Barty said: ‘It’s just incredible. I love coming out here and playing in Australia.

‘I’m just happy that I get to play my best tennis here. Now I get the chance to play for a first title here. It’s unreal.’

Asked if she was ready for one more match, Barty said with a grin: ‘Absolutely. Let’s do it.’ 

Keys had blasted her way through the draw, taking out two top-10 seeds in Paula Badosa and Barbora Krejcikova in the last two rounds, but Barty has looked a class apart all fortnight.

The world No 1 eased to a 6-1 6-3 victory over Keys (left) in only 62 minutes on Thursday

Barty won in dominant fashion and now marches into her third grand slam final

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The 25-year-old reads the game so well, glides around the court and possesses a complete arsenal of weapons.

Shots from Keys that would have been winners against almost anyone else came back with interest, forcing the nervous American to go for more, and to miss.

The first set was over in just 26 minutes and, while Keys steadied the ship a little at the start of the second, Barty broke again to move 4-2 in front.

Keys’ attempts to put pressure on her opponent by coming to the net simply gave Barty a target to pass, and the home favourite marched into her third grand slam final.