It’s Barty time in Australia

Australia's Ash Barty clinched her spot in the Australian Open finals by beating Madison Keys. She ends a 42-year drought of Australians not making the finals of their home open.

January 27, 2022 - 9:31 AM

Australia's Ashleigh Barty returns a backhand against Germany's Laura Siegemund during the WTA Qatar Total Open at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar, on February 25, 2020. (Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images/TNS) Photo by TNS

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Ash Barty was the crowd favorite at Melbourne Park long before she ended a 42-year drought by reaching the Australian Open final.

Danielle Collins said it’ll be “spectacular” to take on the women’s No. 1-ranked player in the final of her home Grand Slam event on Saturday.

The 28-year-old American got a little taste of what to expect in her first Grand Slam final as she left the court today following her 6-4, 6-1 semifinal win over seventh-seeded Iga Swiatek.

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