French Open: Barty defeats Keys in quarter-finals
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ByEurosport
Updated 06/06/2019 at 12:14 GMT
Australian Ashleigh Barty defeated Madison Keys 6-3 7-5 in the quarter-finals of the French Open.
Ashleigh Barty of Australia plays a backhand during her ladies singles quarter-final match against Madison Keys of The United States during Day twelve of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on June 06, 2019 in Paris, France
Image credit: Getty Images
In a quarter-final clash postponed on Wednesday because of heavy rain, Barty produced an intelligent display full of guile in the Court Suzanne Lenglen sunshine.
Barty's greater variety proved too much for 2018 semi-finalist Keys whose power game broke down at the vital moments.
A reflex backhand winner gave 23-year-old Barty the decisive break when Keys served at 3-4 in the first set.
Using her clever changes of pace, she provoked errors from the powerful Keys to break again at 3-3 in the second.
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Highlights - Impressive Barty downs Keys to reach maiden Grand Slam semi
Serving for the match at 5-4 Barty wavered for the first time in the match, double-faulting and then netting a forehand on break point to hand Keys a way back into the match.
But the respite was shortlived. Keys dropped serve with a double-fault in the next game and this time Barty sealed victory to set up a semi-final clash with American teenager Amanda Anisimova who knocked out defending champion Simona Halep.
"Anisimova has been playing some great tennis, to reach a semi-final you must be doing the right things," Barty, who once quit tennis to play cricket, said on court.
"It's an exciting opportunity for both us and we will both enjoy it tomorrow."
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