Australian Open 2020 Results: Barty Keeps Date with Second Major after Exciting Win over Kvitova

Ash Barty overturned a stunning first set to keep her appointment with the Australian Open semifinal with a straight-set win over Petra Kvitova. In doing so she became the first Aussie in 30 years in the women’s draw to get to the final four.

Kvitova, who was the finalist last year, started off the match with what the commentators described as crazy hitting but was unable to sustain her momentum against the world number one. Barty won 7-6 (6), 6-2 to advance to the semifinals.

Barty will now take on Sofia Kenin in the semifinal on Thursday. Kenin clinched her spot in the final four with a win over Ons Jabeur earlier at the Rod Laver Arena.

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The Czech kick-started the match on a strong note as she broke her Aussie counterpart on love in the third game itself. However, Barty retaliated with a break of her own to level things at 2-2 before holding on to make it 3-2.

Needing to save a break-point in the sixth game, Kvitova came up with a solid serve to level it up and then gain a couple of break-points of her own. This time, Barty ensured there would be no breaks of serve, but not before she was taken to seven deuces. Couple of more holds of serve took it to 5-4, before Kvitova held again.

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The set went into the tie-breaker where both players had their chances including a set-point at 6-5 for Kvitova. Barty saved it and won the next three points in a row to claim the opener.

Things became a lot easier for Barty in the second set though, as Kvitova failed to keep up her first serve percentages. Barty broke Kvitova in the very first game and held serve to go 2-0 up.

And if one thought Kvitova would show the fight from the first set, it turned out to be a disappointing time as Barty consolidated the break by making it another one. Couple of holds of serve later, Barty was 4-1 up but Kvitova showed some signs of not giving up very easily as she broke to reduce the deficit to 2-4, only to be broken back.

This time around though, Barty served out the set and match to clinch her semifinal berth.