HOLY SHIT: Ash Barty is now just one win away from that glorious world number one ranking, after defeating Barbora Strýcová in the semi-finals of the 2019 Nature Valley Classic, otherwise known as the Birmingham Classic. That’s just two sets. TWO.
[jwplayer bGO1zRES]
Barty advanced to the Birmingham final in straight sets over Strýcová, 6-4, 6-4. If she wins, Barty will take the World No. 1 title from Japan‘s Naomi Osaka.
Catch the local legend’s latest winning moment below.
One step closer!
@ashbar96 is through to her second #NatureValleyClassic final!⁰⁰
Defeats Strycova 6-4, 6-4 pic.twitter.com/uAIIyF5TqR
— wta (@WTA) June 22, 2019
Game set match @ashbar96!
She beats Barbora Strycova 6-4 6-4 to advance to the final in Birmingham!
She’s one win away from world No.1.#NatureValleyClassic #GoAussies pic.twitter.com/xJLGqEMrT9
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) June 22, 2019
Barty is fresh off her French Open success, her first-ever Grand Slam win. Should she take this title, Barty will become the first-ever Australian to win the Birmingham Classic and she’ll become the first Australian women to top the world rankings since her idol, Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, did it back in 1976. That’s 43 years.
“You have to enjoy it. You have to come out and grab it with both hands,” Barty said in her post-match interview. “Obviously we’re having a really good time at the moment and hopefully we can get one more tomorrow.”
“It’s just nice to be in another final,” she continued. “It’s been a hell of a year so far and hopefully we can prepare and play well tomorrow and whatever happens, happens.”
Not to mention, she’s also playing doubles.
“You have to enjoy it. You have to come out and grab it with both hands.”
To say @ashbar96 is motivated would be an understatement.#NatureValleyClassic pic.twitter.com/ECau3DEWZr
— wta (@WTA) June 22, 2019
Barty will take on the winner of the Julia Görges v. Petra Martić semi in the final.
