A slice of heaven for Ashleigh Barty, who becomes first Aussie to reach Wimbledon ladies' final since Evonne Goolagong, 41 years ago

MATCH POINT: Barty is back in a major final.

Ashleigh Barty is a tactical genius—proven profoundly today when she beat Angelique Kerber, 6-3, 7-6 (3), in the semis of Wimbledon. Barty’s victory made her the first Australian woman to reach the Wimbledon singles final since her idol, Evonne Goolagong, won here in 1980.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Goolagong’s first title run.

“It's a really special anniversary for Evonne,” said Barty. “I couldn't be more proud to be in a position to wear an outfit inspired by her. Now to kind of give myself a chance to create some history almost in a way that's a tribute to her is really exciting. I couldn't be more rapt to have that opportunity on Saturday.”

Barty approached this match differently than many of Kerber’s opponent. The misperception that Kerber is a defensive player lures one into thinking it best to simply overpower her. Such narrow thinking can prove fatal. Kerber is particularly adept on grass, where her superb court coverage skills, aptitude for absorbing pace and ability to generate power off of low balls has led to many excellent results at Wimbledon, including a title run three years ago and a runner-up effort in 2016. Just prior to the start of this year’s edition of The Championships, Kerber won a grass-court tournament, her first WTA title since that 2018 Wimbledon victory.

But Barty wasn’t about to let Kerber ensnare her in a spider web. Instead, she opened the match hitting many slice backhands. Though the ball stayed low, the underspin denied Kerber the flat, hard, downright obvious ball that lets her get in a groove and dictate the tempo of a rally.

In the opening game, having saved one break point at 15-40, Barty at 30-40 carved three slice backhands. Kerber returned the ball tepidly, eventually short enough for Barty to pounce and strike a crosscourt forehand winner. A similar pattern came on the next point, capped off by an untouchable Barty swing volley.

“I was trying to playing my game,” said Kerber. “But she had always a good answer. I think that her game suits to grass court really well.”

That first game triggered what rapidly became a Barty swarm of sharp serves, deep forehands into various nooks and crannies, as well as the occasional charge to net, capped off by a volley or smash. As Barty flourished, Kerber searched in vain for control of at least a few rallies.

Yet as much as Barty dominated the first set, drama ensued. Serving at 0-3, 30-40, Kerber gritted her way off the ledge with a rolling crosscourt forehand and a point-ending overhead. She won that game to stay only one break down.

Barty served for the set at 5-3 and went down love-30. At 30-30, a double-fault. At 30-40, Barty responded brilliantly—a deep second serve and, soon enough, a crisp forehand approach, the rally terminated with a high forehand volley winner. Two points later, Barty closed out the set with an ace.

Kerber stepped up the pace considerably in the second set. She captured Barty’s opening service game, swiftly went up 3-0 and inched forward to a 5-2 lead. Kerber was hitting harder than usual, lashing out off both sides. But perhaps that was too much of a redline effort. No tennis player is comfortable going for more than customary.

Having taken Kerber’s measure, Barty clawed back. Serving at 2-5, deuce, the Aussie won eleven straight points.

“She is really intelligent player and she knows how to play also with her slice, and then she's going forward with her forehand,” said Kerber. “She really served well today.”

By the time the two reached the tiebreaker, Kerber had run out of ideas, her thinking fuzzy. Scamper? Slash? In the face of air-tight and keenly disruptive opposition, neither seemed viable.

I was trying to playing my game. But she had always a good answer. I think that her game suits to grass court really well. Angelique Kerber

Meanwhile, Barty was in that happy place—not necessarily the euphoric “zone,” but the realm of many possibilities, her wide range of skills once again coming into play.

Events accelerated drastically when Kerber double-faulted at 0-3. With this much of a cushion, Barty freely laced a forehand winner, then an ace to go up 6-0 in the tiebreaker. Tenacious to the end, Kerber won the next three points. But on the fourth, worn out by the Barty mix of power, accuracy and variety, Kerber lined a backhand into the net.

“That match was a great level, the best level I've played, in quite some time,” said Barty. “I think Angie is an incredible competitor. She brought out the best in me today.”

Ten years ago, at the age of 15, Barty won the Wimbledon junior title. But at the end of 2014, she was burnt out and eager, at least for a short time, to leave tennis, play cricket and live some version of a normal life. She returned in 2016 and has sharpened everything from an engaging playing style to a broad support team that counters the loneliness so endemic to tennis.

“I think a lot of the time your greatest growth comes from your darkest times,” Barty said. “I think that's why this tournament has been so important to me. I've learned so much with all my experiences, the good, bad, everything in between I've been able to learn from.”

Goolagong’s nickname was “Sunshine Super Girl.” Come Saturday, win or lose, Barty too figures to cast plenty of bright rays. And watch out for that slice backhand.