Ashleigh Barty became the first Australian woman to reach the semi-finals at her home Grand Slam for 36 years with victory over Petra Kvitova in an absorbing encounter in Melbourne. The top seed made 2019 runner-up Kvitova pay for a host of missed chances in a 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 victory at the Australian Open. The last Australian woman to reach the semi-finals in the singles at Melbourne Park was Wendy Turnbull in 1984, who was the most recent finalist from the home nation in 1980. Another netted forehand gave Barty a mini-break and Kvitova handed her the set when she went long with a backhand. "It's been absolutely incredible," said Barty, who is seeking to become the first Australian women's singles winner since Chris O'Neil in 1978.

Source: BBC January 28, 2020 02:19 UTC