Ash Barty sets up third grudge match with world No.2

Ashleigh Barty will meet world No.2 Petra Kvitova again after fighting back from a set down against Kiki Bertens in the Miami Open fourth round.

The Australian No.1 lost the first set 4-6 against her seventh-seeded opponent, but dug deep to draw level by taking the second 6-3.

The world No.11, who knocked out compatriot Samantha Stosur in the previous round, continued her dominance in the final frame.

The 12th seed served it out for a 4-6 6-3 6-2 win in one hour and 53 minutes.

Barty’s win strengthens her case for a big milestone, with the Queenslander now likely to make her top-10 debut at the end the tournament – barring a defeat against Kvitova and an unexpected title run from Caroline Wozniacki or Qiang Wang.

She now holds a 4-0 record over Dutchwoman Bertens, with three of those career wins coming from a set down.

“Whenever I play Kiki, there’s really not much in the match at all,” Barty said.

“For a span of six or seven games there she maybe gave me one or two errors – she really went into lockdown mode.

“I did well to squeeze out of my service game at 2-2 in the second, had a little wriggle there and went into lockdown mode myself.”

Barty also told reporters that new performance coach Ben Crowe has helped improve her game, adding: “He’s made an astronomical difference.

“We’ve created a really tightly knit group: we trust each other, we bounce ideas off each other and ultimately we try to get the best out of each other.”

Barty will face third seed Petra Kvitova in the quarter-finals – their third meeting of the year and another opportunity for the Aussie to outgun her rival.

In January the Czech defeated Barty in three sets in the Sydney final and again in straight sets in the Australian Open quarter-finals.

“Absolutely not!” Barty said when asked whether she was tired of facing Kvitova.

“It’s always an exceptional challenge, she’s one of the best in the world… I look forward to it.”

Kvitova booked her spot in the last eight with a commanding 6-3 6-3 victory over France’s Caroline Garcia but only after a rain delay of over two hours while leading 5-2 in the second set.

“I’m glad I was able to finish the match,” said the former world No.1, who can regain top spot with a title win.

“You never know what it’s going to be like when you come back from a rain delay. I tried to be focused but it was difficult.”

with AAP