Ash Barty closes in on no.1 rank with latest win
Ash Barty has moved to within one victory of seizing the top ranking in world tennis with her win over Barbora Strycova.
Fresh from her victory over Venus Williams, Barty progressed to the final at the Birmingham Classic, dispatching her Czech opponent 6-4, 6-4.
Barty will face the winner of Petra Martic and Julia Goerges in the tournament final, with not only the tournament, but the number one ranking up for grabs.
If she does succeed, it would see her emulate the feat of her idol Evonne Goolagong Cawley - the last Aussie woman to occupy top spot 43 years ago.
Ash Barty is not playing like she’s on a lucky streak. She’s playing like she belongs there. Tomorrow’s the test: playing for No. 1. #AshBarty
— Neil McMahon (@NeilMcMahon) June 22, 2019
Another phenomenal win for @ashbar96 👏💪
The win not only puts her into another final but also now just 2 ranking points behind World No1 Osaka👇
If Barty lifts the title tomorrow come Monday she will be the new World No1😳what a run she is on💪#NatureValleyClassic pic.twitter.com/0XBWlSxzPD— Reggie🐺🐊 (@Reggie61823972) June 22, 2019
Barty's 6-4 6-4 victory over the world No.50 was her 11th in succession and extended her 2019 record to 35-5 - the best of any player on the WTA tour.
"I served really well in the second set to keep in touch and knew I needed to take my chance when I got one," Barty said.
"On grass, she is very effective and it was important for me to get on top on my rallies and use my forehand as much as I could."
Barty will play doubles with Goerges later on Saturday and has the chance to replicate Maria Sharapova's 2004 achievement of winning the singles and doubles titles at Birmingham.
"We got close here in the 2017 final but it's nice to be in another final and, whatever happens, happens," she said.
Barty's last defeat came on May 16 against Kristina Mladenovic at the Italian Open in Rome.
Success in Birmingham would be her third tournament win in a magnificent three months after victory at Roland Garros and in March at Miami.
It continues her phenomenal turnaround since returning to tennis in 2016, with a ranking of 623, after an 18-month sabbatical and playing cricket in the WBBL with Brisbane Heat.
Should Barty lift the title, she will usurp Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka and become only the 27th woman in 49 years to hold the No.1 ranking and head to Wimbledon as the top-seeded player.
WITH AAP