Barty becomes first Aussie to reach Australian Open final in 42 years

Ashleigh Barty became the first home player to reach the Australian Open women’s singles final in 42 years as she beat Madison Keys in straight sets on Rod Laver Arena.

Barty, 25, won 6-1 6-3 against the unseeded American.

Now the top seed is one win away from becoming the first Australian – man or woman – to win the singles since Christine O’Neil won the title in 1978.

Barty will face American 27th seed Danielle Collins in Saturday’s final.

Collins, 28, beat seventh seed Iga Swiatek 6-4 6-1 to reach her first Grand Slam final, less than a year after she had surgery for endometriosis.