In 2011, at the age of 15, Ashleigh Barty lifted the Wimbledon junior tournament trophy. Ten years later, the Australian has the opportunity to repeat the performance, in the seniors this time. On her way stood, in the semifinals on July 8, the 2018 Wimbledon winner, Angelique Kerber. If this match could have been a trap, the world number one got away with it. She quickly led a set to nothing, relying on her solid forehand to distribute the play.
The German will have tried to rebel in the second set, breaking Barty from the start and retaining her advantage until serving to win the round. But, as a champion, the Australian was able to raise her level of play when she needed it most. Kerber will have pushed it well to the tie-break, but it will have been one-sided. At the end of a successful match, won in straight sets (6-3, 7-6) and just under an hour and a half of play, Ashleigh Barty qualified for her first (senior) final at Wimbledon.
“The best experience of my life”
“I played one of the best games of my career, she congratulated herself on the Center Court, after this mastered semi-final. I knew I had to evolve at this level to beat [Kerber]. I am extremely proud of myself, of my team. I have a chance to lift this trophy on Saturday… to be able to play a final here at Wimbledon, it’s going to be the best experience of my life. “
In June 2019, on the clay court of Roland-Garros, the Australian played her first Grand Slam final, at the same time winning the first major title of her career. So 8e world, this victory propelled her into the top 2, which she has not left since. Thanks to the rankings freeze, she has even been at the top of the world hierarchy since September 2019.
In the absence of her most serious competitors like the Japanese Naomi Osaka (who, in June 2021, in the middle of Roland Garros, decided to leave the circuit to preserve her mental health) or Simona Halep (injured calf) Barty was therefore a big favorite when he arrived on the London turf. And this, despite a hip injury and a package at Roland Garros during his second round, on June 3.
Since the start of her fortnight in London, Ashleigh Barty has raised doubts, with the manner, about her state of form. The world number one, who is discreet and humble off the courts, has assumed her status, stringing together convincing victories. She is now only one success away from the second Grand Slam title of her career.
A final and a tribute
If she were to win the tournament, she would become the first Australian player to win at Wimbledon since Evonne Goolagong, victorious in 1980. This seven-time Grand Slam winner had also achieved a double, triumphing at Roland Garros and then at Wimbledon, in 1971. On the occasion of this fiftieth anniversary, Ashleigh Barty pays tribute to her compatriot by playing on the courts with an outfit inspired by the iconic scalloped dress of the champion. A way to salute the influence that Goolagong has had on his career, but also on a whole generation of young Australian players. “Now I too have the opportunity to write history, paying homage to it, Barty enthused. It is really stimulating. “
To lift the trophy, she will first have to compete against a strong opponent: Karolina Pliskova, who won in three sets (5-7, 6-4, 6-4) against Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, 4e global. The Czech, former world number one, is also joining the All England Club final for the first time. On his record, a final at the US Open in 2016, but no Grand Slam title. Between the two players, it is for the moment the Australian who dominates the debates, with five successes in seven confrontations, including a victory in April 2021 in three sets (2-6, 6-1, 7-5) at Stuttgart, on clay.
On Saturday July 10, the spectators of the Center Court will be entitled to a real opposition of styles. On the one hand, Barty, who varies a lot, moves well, tries to dictate the exchange with his forehand. On the other hand, Pliskova, a tall (1.86 m), very powerful player who gets a lot of “free” points thanks to her serve. If the Australian is a favorite for this meeting, one thing is certain: a name will be inscribed on the trophy for the first time.