ASH Barty is the pride of a nation this morning, after she won through to her maiden Australian Open final last night by defeating Madison Keys in last night’s semi-final. She will face Danielle Collins in the final, after the American beat Iga Swiatek in the other semi-final.

Ash Barty (AUS) vs Madison Keys (USA)

Barty broke Keys in the very first game of the match and raced to a 2-0 lead, before Keys was able to hold her serve and reduce the margin back to one game. That would be the last match Keys won for the entire set though as Barty went on a four match winning run to take the set 6-1.

Despite the dominant score line, Barty’s first serve percentage was a lot lower than Keys’ (45 to 79 per cent). That was the only stat she won for the set though, as Barty won the first (78 to 50 per cent) and second serve percentages (73 to 17 per cent) and broke twice. Keys also had significantly more unforced errors than Barty did (14-4).

The second set was a much tighter affair. It was two all before Barty won the next three to be one game away from her maiden Aus Open final. Keys did make her wait an extra game by holding serve to take it to 5-3, but it was all in vain as Barty closed it out the following game to win the set 6-4 and the match in straight sets.

In the second set, Barty drastically increased her first serve in percentage up to 73 per cent, while Keys’ dropped to 63%. Barty again had a higher first serve success rate, but lost the second serve points comparison. Keys again could not convert any break point chances, but Barty could only convert a third of her chances.

The unforced error count was again high in the second set. Keys’ dropped to 10, but Barty’s rose significantly to nine. In the end, Barty got up 6-1 6-3.

Danielle Collins (USA) vs Iga Swiatek (Poland)

Collins was in dominant form in the early part of the first set, racing ahead to a 4-0 lead in only 16 minutes. Swiatek won the next two before both players were broken to find the score at 5-3 in favour of Collins. They then both held their next service games but that also meant Collins had won the set 6-4.

Collins served four aces in the first set, but also served four double faults. Collins’ serving percentages were also all very low.

Her serving efficiency was only 58 per cent, compared to Swiatek’s 63 per cent. Her win first serve percentage was 74 per cent though, which was higher than Swiatek’s 65 per cent. Both players had a very low second serve win percentage though (36 per cent to Collins compared to Swiatek’s 17 per cent).

Collins had a great start to the second set too, winning the first four games of the set. Swiatek then won the next game but then Collins won the next two to take the set and the match, 6-4 6-1.

Collins served three aces and no double faults in the second set, whereas Swiatek served no aces and one double fault. All of Collins’ serve percentages went up from the first set to the second, while Swiatek’s went down.

Collins’ first serve percentage was 76 per cent compared to Swiatek’s 57 per cent, her first serve success rate was 85 per cent compared to Swiatek’s 50 per cent, and her second serve success rate was 50 per cent compared to Swiatek’s mere 11 per cent.

Barty will face Collins at Rod Laver Arena tomorrow, January 29.