Top seed Ashleigh Barty against seventh seed Petra Kvitová, the pair that met in a quarter final of last years AO as well. Kvitova won that battle, and Barty was keen to reverse the result.
The Australian served first, and after winning the first three points, the third with an ace, Barty fell into a hole. Kvitova put away a neat volley at the net, Barty netted a backhand, sent another backhand long, and saw a Kvitova return backhand race past her. Break point arrived. Saved through a Kvitova forehand mistake. Serve eventually held with a service winner.
Kvitova won her first game a lot quicker, without losing a point.
With momentum, the Czech star troubled Barty, a drop shot winner and forcing errors with powerful ground strokes, bringing up three break points. A forehand return winner sealed the break and Kvitova led 2-1.
Barty delivered the third straight love game to immediately break back, two double faults not welcomed by Kvitova.
A fourth love game came, this one giving Barty consolidation of her break, an ace included in the game. Kvitova held on for 3–3, saving a break point.
The seventh game was critical, and Barty was at the line for what seemed like an eternity, but was 20 points. Down 0-40, Barty saved all three break points, but then failed to convert four game points.
Another two break points came, but they too disappeared, and ultimately Barty won the game of seven deuces.
At 5-5, Barty serving, Kvitova hit a forehand winner, and Barty missed with her forehand. 15-30. A missed Australian backhand and two more break points which had to be handled. One saved thanks to a winning forehand drive. The next after a Kvitova mistake. Barty held on.
Kvitova held serve and a tie break came.
At 1-2, Barty hit a forehand long and was behind a mini break. It was redeemed on the sixth point where extraordinary defence from Barty kept her in the rally - the longest of the match - and eventually drew a Czech error.
Kvitova had set point at 5-6 but it was on the Barty serve. Barty won both points on her serve to lead 7-6 with a set point, now with Kvitova at the line.
A Kvitova backhand drifted long and the set belonged to Barty 7-6(6).
Barty broke the Kvitova serve in both of the seventh seeds first two trips to the line in set two. The top seed held both of her serves in comparison. 4-0 and closing in on victory.
Kvitova enjoyed a good patch over the next two games, initially holding to love, the backhand working well, then attacking the Australian serve successfully. The retrieval of one of the breaks meant that Kvitova was serving at 2-4.
At 30-30, Barty forced a Kvitova forehand error, and the break point was converted when the seventh seed double faulted.
Barty would serve for the match.
A missed Australian forehand and a Czech forehand winner. 0-30. Forced Kvitova forehand error. 15-30. Missed Barty forehand and two break points. Ace saved one. Forehand winner saved the other. Service winner and match point. Ace and Ashleigh Barty won a semi final berth 7-6(6) 6-2.
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