Australian Open : Barty beats Keys to become first Australian women to reach final in over 40 years

Ashleigh Barty defeated Madison Keys to become the first Australian woman to reach the final of her home grand slam for more than 40 years.

The world number one went into the semi-final on an expectant Rod Laver Arena having not come close to dropping a set all tournament and eased to a 6-1 6-3 victory in only 62 minutes.

Australia has been waiting for a women's singles finalist since Wendy Turnbull back in 1980, with Chris O'Neal the last home champion in the women's or men's singles two years earlier.

Proud Barty "can't wait" to play Aus Open final after semi-final win over Keys.
World number one Ashleigh Barty "can't wait" to play in Saturday's Australian Open final after her stunning straight sets win over Madison Keys on Thursday.

Barty became the first Australian woman to reach the final of her home grand slam for more than 40 years and will take on first-time finalist Danielle Collins.

The top seed eased to a 6-1, 6-3 semi-final victory over Keys, after just over one hour on a packed Rod Laver Arena.

The Wimbledon champion is aiming to become the first Australia to lift the trophy since Chris O'Neal in 1978.

"It's tough, it sucks" Keys after straight sets Aus Open semi-final defeat to Barty
Madison Keys said Ashleigh Barty is in the "best" form of her career after the American was quickly dispatched in their Australian Open semi-final on Thursday.

Keys won only four games in a match that lasted just 62 minutes as Barty coolly won 6-1, 6-3 on the Rod Laver Arena to set up a final appearance against Danielle Collins.

The world number 51 looked satisfied with her performance in Melbourne, and Australia in general, although Keys jokingly said the defeat "sucks."

Barty has dropped just 21 games en route to her first Australian Open final.