Brilliant Barty pummels Pegula to move into Australian Open semi-finals

Another straight-sets win for the world No 1 as she reaches the final four of her home Slam

January 23, 2022 Australia’s Ashleigh Barty in action during her fourth round match against Amanda Anisimova of the U.S. (Panoramic)

Carrie Dunn

January 25, 2022

Australian Open 2022 | Draw | Order of play

World No 1 Ash Barty stepped once more on to the big stage on Rod Laver Arena and cruised through to the semi-finals of the 2022 Australian Open, dismissing the USA’s Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-0.

The Australian’s serve, primarily error-free so far this fortnight, wobbled slightly but she kept her nerve.

And she rounded off the match with another massive serve that the American could not get her racquet to.

“She really made me play my best tennis this week,” said Barty on the court afterwards.

“I’ve grown as a person and a player [since the last time she reached the Australian Open semi-finals in 2020]. I think I’m a more complete tennis player…it’s a credit to my team, they’ve done so much work behind the scenes to make me the best version of myself. It’s been a lot of fun so far.”

She will next play another American – Madison Keys.