WORLD number one Ash Barty has produced a sterling come-from-behind win for the best possible birthday present – to book a spot in the 2021 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix final. The Australian dynamo won 4-6 7-6 6-2 in two hours and five minutes against fourth seed Ukrainan Elina Svitolina, to set up a decider date with fifth seed Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.

On her 25th birthday, Barty weathered the Svitolina serving storm of nine aces, whilst only serving the one ace herself. She won 79 per cent of her first serve points off a 69.7 per cent clip, matching it with her opponent who had a high 75 per cent success rate off a 72.3 per cent clip. Barty did put pressure on the Svitolina second serve however, with the Ukrainian successful just 34.6 per cent of the time, and the Australian broke four times from 10 chances, as Svitolina broke three from five.

“I think you learn from every single match regardless of who the opponent is, but I think the Top 10 players and particularly the WTA Top 10 have, in the last five or six years, been exceptional quality,” Barty said post-match having beaten the Ukrainian for the third straight time after five straight losses to begin their head-to-heads.

“I think you have to bring your best to be able to compete,” she said. “You know when it forces some of your best tennis out of you. So, it’s nice, in the critical moments, to come up with some pretty good stuff yesterday and today again. But obviously you enjoy the challenge of playing against the world’s best as well.”

Barty will now take on Sabalenka, who took care of second seed Simona Halep in straight sets, 6-3 6-2. The win was a huge one for the Belarusian, who hit 28 winners to Halep’s 12, and only had four more unforced errors (21-17), whilst winning 38 of her 50 service points to blow away one of the top clay courters in the world. Sabalenka has been criticised in the past for not winning big tournaments, having claimed nine in total – including Abu Dhabi earlier this year, but a WTA 500 title would be a huge step in the right direction for the talented European.

Meanwhile in Istanbul, Belgian Elise Mertens cruised closer to another title, taking care of her biggest danger, third seed Russian Veronika Kudermetova. Mertens won 6-1 6-4 to book her spot in the final against Romanian Sorana Cirstea, after the latter knocked off Marta Kostyuk in straight sets 6-4 6-4.

PORSCHE TENNIS GRAND PRIX SEMI-FINALS RESULTS:

[1] Ash Barty (AUS) defeated [4] Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4-6 7-6 6-2
[5] Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) defeated [2] Simona Halep (ROU) 6-3 6-2

TEB BNP PARIBAS TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP ISTANBUL SEMI-FINAL RESULTS:

[1] Elise Mertens (BEL) defeated [3] Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) 6-1 6-4
Sorana Cirstea (ROU) defeated Marta Kostyuk (UKR) 6-4 6-4

Picture credit: WTA/Jimmie48