Collins crushes Swiatek to set up Barty final

MELBOURNE: Ash Barty stood one win away from ending Australia's 44-year wait for a home-grown champion after she defeated American Madison Keys 6-1, 6-3 in the Australian Open semi-final on Thursday.

The Wimbledon champion continued her remarkable run during the past fortnight in Melbourne Park and reached the final without dropping a set, losing just 21 games in six matches.

Victory on Saturday would make Barty the first local to win the Australian Open since Chris O'Neil in 1978.

Barty, who is the first Australian to reach a final at home since Lleyton Hewitt in 2005, will play either seventh seed Iga Swiatek or American 27th seed Danielle Collins in the decider.

Barty said she cannot wait to play on Saturday.

"Absolutely. Let's do it," a beaming Barty said on court. "It is unreal. Honestly, it is just incredible."

"I love coming out here and playing in Australia and, as an Aussie, we are exceptionally spoiled that we are a Grand Slam nation (and) we get to play in our backyard and I am just happy that I get to play my best tennis here."

"I've done well before and now we have a chance to play for a title. It is unreal."

She paid tribute to her American opponent, who endured a difficult 2021 but has started the season brightly.

"It is just so nice to see her back where she belongs. She is an amazing human being," she said.

"You see the way she carries herself on the court. She smiles and she gives it her best. But I love most that she is a great person. We really respect her and we love her."

American Danielle Collins showed she will provide a formidable obstacle to home favourite Ash Barty's hopes of winning the Australian Open with a crushing 6-4, 6-1 defeat of Poland's Iga Swiatek to reach her first Grand Slam final.

After Barty's demolition of American Madison Keys earlier, the 30th ranked Collins produced an equally dominant display to give former French Open champion Swiatek no chance.

World number one Barty will be the overwhelming favourite on Saturday as she attempts to become the first local to win the Australian Open since Chris O'Neil in 1978.

But the 28-year-old Collins, a product of the American college system and twice an NCAA champion, showed against Swiatek that she can mix it with the best.

She made a lightning start on Rod Laver Arena, overwhelming Swiatek with her power and aggression to race into a 4-0 lead.

Poland's Iga Swiatek in action during her semi-final match against American Danielle Collins

Seventh seed Swiatek responded to claw back some of the damage but 28-year-old Collins held firm to close out the set.

It was a repeat show in the second set as a dominant Collins, who elected not to sit down at changeovers such was her eagerness to get the job done, again roared 4-0 ahead.

This time there was no counter-attack by Swiatek as Collins, showing no nerves as her date with destiny loomed, wrapped up victory on her second match point in 78 minutes. Agencies

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