Most Popular Sports
All Sports
Show All

Ash Barty stuns Garbine Muguruza to make Birmingham final

Tom Adams

Updated 24/06/2017 at 15:02 GMT

World number 77 Ash Barty set up a final showdown with Petra Kvitova in Birmingham after shocking sixth seed Garbine Muguruza at the Aegon Classic.

Ashleigh Barty of Australia celebrates winning her semi final match against Garbine Muguruza

Image credit: Getty Images

Barty, who quit tennis in 2014 to play cricket in the Women's Big Bash League and only returned last year, defeated last year's French Open champion 3-6 6-4 6-3.
Muguruza saved match points in the penultimate game of the third set but the Spaniard was beaten when Barty battered a brilliant backhand out of reach.
It is the first time Barty has beaten a top-20 player, and Sunday's final will be her first on grass.
She lost the first set to Muguruza, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2015, but started to showcase her touch and power in the second set, with one incredible winner drawing gasps from the crowd.
picture

'Wow! What a shot!' - Barty flicks winner right into corner

The 21-year-old started to dominate and then ran away with the third set. Muguruza took one of two breaks back, but Barty held on to vanquish her much-fancied opponent.
"I didn't really get a look in on her serve in the first set and once I knew I was in with a shot it was a little bit of a different story," said Barty.
picture

Highlights: Barty beats Muguruza

Muguruza saved two match points in the final set as she battled hard but after recovering from her first set reverse, the Australian looked in command by making great use of the slice.
"For me it is important to use my slice on the grass and I love coming out here, slicing away and getting a bit of purchase on the ball and I was able to do that and it was really pleasing" she said.
picture

'You've got to be kidding!' Incredible defence from Barty as she wins point

Kvitova benefited from an injury to Lucie Safarova in the first semi-final of the day, continuing her comeback from a horrendous knife attack.
Join 3M+ users on app
Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports
Download
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement