Ash Barty is just three wins away from achieving ultimate glory at the Australian Open – but must avoid falling for the same trick as in years gone by.
In tonight’s quarter-final she battles dangerous American 21st seed Jessie Pegula, who threatens to once again keep Barty from the final at her home slam.
Follow Ash Barty and Night 9 of the Australian Open in our live blog below!
Watch Tennis Live with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. Live Coverage of ATP + WTA Tour Tournaments including Every Finals Match. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial >
DAY 9 BLOG: ‘You’re all corrupt’ — Star ‘loses it’ at ump, calls out Rafa in shock rant
SPECIAL Ks: Crowd goes bonkers as Kyrgios-Kokk doubles quarter-final explodes
‘THE PEOPLE’S CHAMPION’: Kyrgios’ heartwarming move after accident leaves kid in tears
‘APPALLING’: Nadal, Special Ks snubbed for 66-year-old movie as broadcaster slammed
“She’s lost her serve only once, hasn’t dropped a set and has looked the best I have ever seen her,” Jelena Dokic said of Barty’s form heading into the match on Nine.
Barty then had a “perfect start”, per Sam Smith, with Pegula leading 40-0 in the opening game but then losing four consecutive points as the Aussie went on to break for 1-0.
For the fourth consecutive year Ash Barty is in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, but she’s won at this point just once.
In 2019, 15th-seeded Barty fell in straight sets to eventual finalist and eighth seed Petra Kvitova in the quarters, before getting revenge in 2020 – but then falling to eventual champion and 14th seed Sofia Kenin in the semis.
Last year Barty’s path to the final looked wide open but she lost from a set up against Czech 25th seed Karolina Muchova in the quarters.
Pegula also lost in the quarter-finals of last year’s Australian Open, falling from a set up against compatriot Jennifer Brady.
Pegula is the daughter of the owners of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, worth an estimated $5 billion.
Barty is in the form of her life, having conceded just 15 games in the opening four rounds of the tournament. The only women close coming into today were Barbora Krejcikova (who lost today) and Iga Switaek (who plays tomorrow), who have lost 25.
Tonight’s winner will face American Madison Keys in the semi-finals; Keys is unseeded but a former US Open finalist.
In the second match of the night, the wide-open section without Novak Djokovic will finally deliver a semi-finalist as 17th seed Gael Monfils battles seventh seed Matteo Berrettini.
Djokovic would’ve been a hot favourite to be facing Berrettini tonight if not for being deported, giving Monfils – a long-time fan-favourite and former World No.6 who has never made a Slam final – a shot at glory.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN NIGHT 9 – ORDER OF PLAY
Night session from 7pm unless delayed
Rod Laver Arena
[1] Ash Barty (AUS) vs [21] Jessica Pegula (USA)
[17] Gael Monfils (FRA) vs [7] Matteo Berrettini (ITA)
Follow Night 9 of the Australian Open with live updates below!
If you can’t see it, tap here.