By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday January 25, 2022
Ash Barty cruised past Jessica Pegula to the tune of just two dropped games on Tuesday in Melbourne.
Photo Source: Getty
Ash Barty has yet to put a foot wrong at the 2022 Australian Open. The Aussie continued her torrid tennis on Tuesday night in Rod Laver Arena by handing No.21 seed Jessica Pegula a lopsided 6-2, 6-0 defeat, the Aussie racing through the final nine games to book her spot in the semifinals at Melbourne for the second time.
She will face unseeded American Madison Keys for a spot in the final.
“I had a lot of fun out here,” Barty told the crowd. “I was able to serve and find a lot of forehands in the center of the court and I was happy to take the game on, be aggressive with my forehand and not worry if I miss a couple, as long as I’m doing the right things and I felt I was able to do that in the whole match.”
The top-seeded World No.1 has dropped a total of 17 games through five rounds in Melbourne, and has stretched her winning streak to nine matches.
"It was just too good tonight from Ash," Pegula said. "I think we've seen her do that to a lot of people. Unfortunately I was a victim tonight to that. She played a great match. There's wasn't much I could do."
Barty dropped just 13 points on serve and saved the only break point she faced – she has now saved 11 of the 12 break points she has faced in her five matches at the Australian Open.
Barty was asked on court by Jim Courier, how she has changed as a player over the last few seasons.
“I’ve grown as a person, I’ve grown as a player. I feel like I’m a more complete tennis player, I’ve obviously got a couple more years of experience under my belt in handling different situations and being able to problem solve out on the court,” she said. “It’s a credit to my team, they’ve done so much work with me behind the scenes to make me the best version of myself. I’m absolutely loving playing out here and it’s bringing a smile to my face, regardless of what is happening during the points. It’s been a lot of fun so far, so hopefully there is a little bit more left.”
Barty owns a 2-1 record against Keys and the Aussie has won the pair’s last two meetings.
“She is a top player, she deserves to be at the top of our game,” said Barty. “I know she had a really rough trot last year with an injury, and some illness and different things, but it is just so nice to see her back out here, doing what she does best.
“I’ve had plenty of battles with Madi before, we’ve played at Fed Cup, we’ve played in all different circumstances, and this is just going to add to it. I can’t wait, I know it will be a good one and whoever con execute better will be in a final – how good.”