Ash Barty’s path to winning the Australian Open is turned on its head after unseeded American’s shock win over world No.4: ‘I think I’m gonna cry’
- Ash Barty hopes to progress to Australian Open semi-finals on Tuesday night
- Standing in her way is US 21st seed Jess Pegula, who hopes to cause huge upset
- Barty is one of two top 10 seeds left in women’s draw at Melbourne grand slam
- Winner will face American Madison Keys, the latest player to cause big boilover
World number one Ashleigh Barty’s quest to win a maiden Australian Open title has taken another twist after a big upset in the women’s draw.
All eyes will be on the Aussie tennis sensation on Tuesday night when she faces off against American 21st seed Jess Pegula in the quarter finals.
The winner will take on world number 51 Madison Keys after the American outsider caused a boilover to defeat fourth seed Barbora Krejcikova in straight sets.
Just two of the top 10 women’s seeds remain in the tournament, Barty and Polish seventh seed Iga Swiatek.
Ash Barty (pictured right with fiancé Garry Kissick) is one of two top 10 seeds remaining in the women’s draw at the Australian Open
A possible fourth round blockbuster between defending champion Naomi Osaka and Barty never eventuated after the Japanese star was eliminated in week one of the grand slam.
Barty goes into Tuesday’s night clash as the hot favourite to progress to Thursday’s semi final in her quest to become the first Australian since 1978 to win a grand slam on home soil.
It’s the second time 2017 US Open finalist Keys has made the final four at Melbourne Park.
‘I think I’m gonna cry,’ she told commentator Jelena Dokic after her quarter final upset.
‘You come out and everyone starts crying.’
Dokic replied: ‘Is it me? Is it a good thing?’
American world number 51 Madison Keys (pictured) became the latest title outsider to cause a huge upset at the Australian Open on Tuesday
On the other side of the women’s draw, veterans Alize Cornet and Kaia Kanepi remain in contention along with American 27th seed Danielle Collins and 2020 French Open champion Swiatek.
Barty is yet to drop a set in her four matches so far as she prepares for a showdown against Pegula, whom she defeated enroute to her 2019 French Open.
It’s the fourth time in a row Barty has progressed to the final eight in the women’s draw at her home Grand Slam, a feat that hasn’t been achieved by an Australian woman since Wendy Turnbull in the 1980s.
Barty’s best result at the Australian Open was the semi finals two years ago, where she became the first Australian women in 24 years to reach the final four.
Sportsbet has declared Barty the short-priced $1.67 favourite to win the Australian Open, followed by Swiatek (4.50), Keys ($6.50) and Collins ($9).
Jessica Pegula (pictured) will cause an another boilover in the women’s draw if she defeats Ash Barty on Tuesday
The star seems to be enjoying this year’s grand slam a lot more than 12 months ago, when Melbourne was plunged into lockdown during the tournament.
The Grand Slam went ahead with no crowd for five days – with patrons being booted out at midnight as the new rules came in.
‘The last two years, has been extraordinarily tough for a lot of people all around the world,’ Barty said following her fourth round win.
‘For us as tennis players, we were able to continue playing, that was an absolute bonus.
‘To have the crowd here, it brings a life to the sport, brings the enjoyment, and for me a lot more fun when I got to share it with everyone else.’
Aussie world number one Ash Barty (pictured) hopes to continue her dream run at the 2022 Australian Open