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Australian Open Highlights, women's semi-finals: Collins thrashes Swiatek, to face Barty in final

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17:12 (IST)

We have our women's final: Danielle Collins vs Ashleigh Barty. Tomorrow we will focus on the men's semi-finals:

Rafael Nadal vs Matteo Berrettini

Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Daniil Medvedev

17:07 (IST)

Danielle Collins is into the final

17:05 (IST)

Danielle Collins is into the final

Danielle Collins has been to the last-four before and now she is into the final for the very first time. That was a ruthless performance, a complete domination of Iga Swiatek to win 6-4, 6-1. Up next: Ashleigh Barty

17:00 (IST)

Collins 6-4, 6-1 Swiatek (* denotes next server)

Collins with a ruthless forehand winner on the return, moving up and going cross and Swiatek can only look at it go. Swiatek with a wry smile at the sheer helplessness of it all. Two match points for Collins. One saved with Swiatek thrashing a forehand and then moving up for the backhand winner. Another chance remains. Collins, once again, jumps up and attacks the second serve. Swiatek sends her backhand well long and Collins wins 6-4, 6-1

16:57 (IST)

Collins 6-4, 5-1 *Swiatek (* denotes next server)

If things weren't going Swiatek's way, Collins serving much bigger and better this set has made things even tougher. Finds the deep edge of the line on the second serve to make it 40-15. And then closes the game out by dispatching a short ball at the net

16:53 (IST)

Collins* 6-4, 4-1 Swiatek (* denotes next server)

At 30-30, Collins gets her footing wrong and has to play a poor drop shot in the end. Swiatek runs forward and finishes the point out. Follows it up with a big serve down the T which produces an error. Swiatek is up on the board in the second

16:49 (IST)

Collins 6-4, 4-0 *Swiatek (* denotes next server)

Collins put under a touch of bother on the serve but gets out of the jam in the end. A 172kmph first serve produces a short return and Collins rides forward to thrash a forehand winner.  

16:43 (IST)

Collins* 6-4, 3-0 Swiatek (* denotes next server)

This is just one-way traffic. Collins ripping big on serve return, one after another and Swiatek has no answer. At 0-40, Collins dispatches the serve for a forehand winner and Swiatek looks to be lost out there. Like a deer in front of a car. Collins is the car.

16:38 (IST)

Collins* 6-4, 1-0 Swiatek (* denotes next server)

Feeling of deja vu at the start of the second set. Collins thundering some huge backhand winners, going after the Swiatek serve and reaping early benefit with the break. 

16:36 (IST)

First set: Danielle Collins 6-4

Danielle Collins is one set away from her maiden Grand Slam final. She has been in sublime touch but for an errant serve while trying to close the set out. Iga Swiatek doesn't look to be out of it completely

16:30 (IST)

Collins 6-4 *Swiatek (* denotes next server)

Another opportunity to serve it out for Collins. And she is up and running much better this time. A 172kmph serve out wide for an ace makes it 30-0. And then 177kmph down the T brings up three set points. Fourth double fault of the match from Collins and that is one chance gone. She makes the second count. Fantastic rally from both players and it is Collins who comes out on top with Swiatek sending her forehand into the net. First set to Collins!

16:25 (IST)

Collins* 5-4 Swiatek (* denotes next server)

Anyway back to things I understand: tennis. Swiatek holds after Collins shanks the backhand return into the net. Danielle will once again serve for the opening set

16:24 (IST)

Like this tweet (or most tweets) from Tsitsipas

16:21 (IST)

Collins 5-3 *Swiatek (* denotes next server)

Two set points come and go for Danielle Collins. Iga Swiatek ups the ante with some big forehands. Finds the American's shoelaces and dispatches the return for a winner. On deuce, Swiatek sends the return long. On set point, Collins with a double fault. With the court gaping and plenty of time at her disposal, Collins goes for too much and sends the backhand wide. Swiatek with a break point now. Second double fault of the game and Swiatek is alive in this set. 

16:18 (IST)

Iga Swiatek needs plenty more of these shots

16:15 (IST)

Collins* 5-2 Swiatek (* denotes next server)

Iga Swiatek has her serve under pressure once again. Collins goes behind her on the backhand drive volley and sees it go for a winner. Two break points for the American. One saved by Swiatek with some really impressive aggressive tennis to make Collins miss a forehand. Another chance, on the second serve. Break! Tame forehand slice from Swiatek and Collins restores her two break advantage

16:10 (IST)

Collins 4-2 *Swiatek (* denotes next server)

Swiatek with fierce forehands one after another and for a change she dictates the point. Forces Collins into an error and has a break point. Saved. Collins goes cross court and Swiatek errs. On deuce, Collins with her first double fault and Swiatek has another chance. Break! Swiatek gets one break back with some crunching forehands. Some go deep, some jump up and she closes the game out with a cross court winner. Huge roar to go with it! 

16:04 (IST)

Collins* 4-1 Swiatek (* denotes next server)

Intimidating tennis from Collins right now. Every short ball by Swiatek is being dispatched with zero effort. The American staying up on second serve - which can explain her 0% on second serve points won. A double fault brings the game to deuce. Collins goes for a deep forehand return but it goes long. Chance for Swiatek to get on board. And she does. A lengthy rally, Collins forehand goes long and Swiatek holds.

15:59 (IST)

Collins 4-0 *Swiatek (* denotes next server)

Danielle Collins is running away with this opening set. Little trouble in getting the advantage after the second break

15:53 (IST)

Collins* 3-0 Swiatek (* denotes next server)

Unplayable tennis from Collins. Gets down incredibly low and thrashes a backhand winner down the line. No chance for Swiatek to chase that down. And it brings up two break points. One saved with Swiatek going after Collins' forehand and eking out an error. On second break point, Collins pushes Swiatek to the corner and challenges her into finding the sideline but she doesn't. That is a double break advantage for the American.

15:50 (IST)

Collins 2-0 *Swiatek (* denotes next server)

Collins with some meaty hitting from the back of the court and she consolidates the break by dropping just the one point on serve.

15:46 (IST)

Collins* 1-0 Swiatek (* denotes next server)

Iga Swiatek won the toss and she decided to serve first. And Collins immediately making her strategy clear. The American aggressive from the get go and staying inside the court to return the ball. A double fault doesn't help and eventually, Swiatek sends her forehand long. Break!

15:34 (IST)

Get to know: Iga Swiatek

Age: 20

World ranking: 9

Prize money: $4,898,553

Career titles: 3

Grand Slam titles: 1 (French Open 2020)

Australian Open best: Semi-final (2022)

Coach: Tomasz Wiktorowski

Into her first semi-final at Melbourne Park on her fourth attempt. Previous best was making the fourth round in 2020 and 2021. 

Announced herself on the world stage by winning the French Open in 2020 without dropping a set, defeating Sofia Kenin in the final -- the first Pole to win a Grand Slam singles title. She followed it up with titles in Adelaide and Rome last year.

Father is former Olympic rower Tomasz Swiatek, who competed in the men's quadruple sculls event at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.

Road to the semi-final:

1st rd: bt Harriet Dart (GBR) 6-3, 6-0

2nd rd: bt Rebecca Peterson (SWE) 6-2, 6-2

3rd rd: bt Daria Kasatkina (RUS x25) 6-2, 6-3

4th rd: bt Sorana Cirstea (ROM) 5-7, 6-3, 6-3

Quarter-final: bt Kaia Kanepi (EST) 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-3

15:33 (IST)

Get to know: Danielle Collins

Age: 28

World ranking: 50

Prize money: $3,750,895

Career titles: 2

Grand Slam titles: 0

Australian Open best: Semi-final (2019, 2022)

Coach: No full-time coach

Making her second Australian Open semi-final appearance after her run to the last four in 2019. Before that she had never won a match at a major in five previous Grand Slams. Also made the last eight at Roland Garros in 2020.

Withdrew from Charleston last year to have surgery for endometriosis. On her return she won her first ever WTA titles at San Jose and Palermo. Hardcourts are the favourite surface for a player who only turned professional aged 22.

Road to the semi-final:

1st rd: bt Caroline Dolehide (USA) 6-1, 6-3

2nd rd: bt Ana Konjuh (CRO) 6-4, 6-3

3rd rd: bt Clara Tauson (DEN) 4-6, 6-4, 7-5

4th rd: bt Elise Mertens (BEL x19) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4

Quarter-final: bt Alize Cornet (FRA) 7-5, 6-1

15:33 (IST)

The second semi-final features another American in Danielle Collins and she takes on Poland's Iga Swiatek

15:31 (IST)

Ashleigh Barty is through to the final

15:22 (IST)

Ashleigh Barty is into the final

Barty beats Madison Keys 6-1, 6-3 in just over an hour. Barty becomes the first home player to reach the final of the Australian Open women's singles since Wendy Turnbull in 1980

15:18 (IST)

Barty 6-1, 6-3 Keys (* denotes next server)

Keys not giving up without a fight. Backhand drop shot has Barty up at the net but the chip shot is not deep enough, Keys spanks a winner. Barty with another helpful serve to make it 15-15. Once again, Keys tries to send the ball deep only to send it long. Serve out wide and Keys' return goes long. Two match points for Ashleigh Barty. Converted! Barty wins it 6-1, 6-3

15:15 (IST)

Barty* 6-1, 5-3 Keys (* denotes next server)

Barty continues her run of forehand winners. Two more and she is racing away to the final. But not so soon, says Keys. Under the pump, Keys with a massive forehand winner down the line on the run. Beautiful shot. On 30-30, Keys runs around the Barty backhand slice and rips a 128kmph winner. Barty with an error and Keys stays alive for now.

15:13 (IST)

Ashleigh Barty has been fantastic on break points when serving

15:11 (IST)

Barty 6-1, 5-2 *Keys (* denotes next server)

A love hold for Barty and she is cruising right along towards the finish line. 

15:10 (IST)

Barty* 6-1, 4-2 Keys (* denotes next server)

Keys sees her unforced error count rise to 22 and Barty has two break points. Both saved, rather easily. Barty missing consecutive backhands and Keys is sticking around. On deuce, Barty with a low, short backhand slice return and Keys gets it back but leaves the court open. On break point, Barty brings Keys forward and then gently hits a forehand winner to get the break!

15:03 (IST)

Barty 6-1, 3-2 *Keys (* denotes next server)

Incredible hustling from Keys. Keeps the point going with lovely defensive tennis and Barty's drive volley goes into the net. 15-30 and Keys has a possible look to break. Shut slightly with a forehand winner from Ash. Barty's error count rising with a backhand going wide. Keys has a break point. And Barty saves it. Jumps up to a short ball and then smashes the defensive reply. Keys goes for a deep forehand but overcooks it. Game point for Ash and converted. Keys scrambles but doesn't get the ball back

14:59 (IST)

Barty* 6-1, 2-2 Keys (* denotes next server)

Barty with a big forehand winner to bring the Keys serve to 40-30. And then Keys with an error on the backhand. On to deuce. Barty not finding the range on her slices and Keys has a chance to hold. Loud chants of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie" as Keys readies to serve. This time Keys with a thundering backhand. Gets down low and changes the direction of play with a winner. Sweetly struck shot.

14:52 (IST)

Barty 6-1, 2-1 *Keys (* denotes next server)

Barty dropping just one point in the first two serve games in the second set. Picking up from where she left off. Madison Keys doing wonderfully to stay in it by holding her own from 0-30 down

14:50 (IST)

First set: Ashleigh Barty 6-1

Just 26 minutes is all Barty needed to take the first set 6-1 and has now won 11 straight sets. Keys not getting going just yet and not finding the free strokeplay that defines her. Barty with 7 winners, 4 unforced. Keys with three winners and 14 unforced

14:47 (IST)

26 minutes for that first set

14:43 (IST)

Barty* 6-1 Keys (* denotes next server)

Barty with another trademark backhand slice that Keys sends into the net while looking to move up. At 15-30, Keys serves a double fault. The first of the match. On two set points, Keys second serve is dispatched for a forehand winner down the line. Set!

14:40 (IST)

Barty 5-1 *Keys (* denotes next server)

Barty sends the backhand long at 30-0 and that is the first point Keys has won on the Ash serve. 10-0 on serve points becomes 10-1 and now 10-2 with Barty sending the forehand long now. 30-30 and that's a possible look in for Keys. Deep serve for Barty, a second serve, and Keys doesn't go into the attack, instead defensively plays the backhand into the net. Yet another error for Barty and that's deuce. The errors coming out of nowhere from Barty. Keys finds the absolute edge of the baseline and it kicks up, Barty errs and a break point for Keys. Saved! Ace! Second ace of the match for Ash to bring it back to deuce. Keys hitting the ball much better now, especially the forehand, but Barty neutralises the threat by pushing her on the backhand. A defensive slice hits the net and Barty has chance to hold. Keys not having it. Puts the pressure on Barty once again and has her play a pass but it goes long instead. Barty with another pin-point serve and then Keys hits the return into the net. Hold.

14:32 (IST)

Barty* 4-1 Keys (* denotes next server)

Keys serving bigger than before but not getting the dividends she would like. Goes for a big forehand down the line over the highest part of the net but finds the net. At 30-30, an error on the backhand and Barty has another break point. Break! A deep ball on to Keys forehand and a mishit hands Barty a second break of serve

14:30 (IST)

Barty 3-1 *Keys (* denotes next server)

Yet another love hold for Ashleigh Barty. Gets the angle on her jumpy serve and then spanks it for a forehand down the line for a perfect one-two. A 129kmph forehand winner for Ash

14:27 (IST)

Barty* 2-1 Keys (* denotes next server)

A simple hold for both players after a testy start for Keys. A love hold for Ash is followed by Keys getting on board by losing just the one point

14:21 (IST)

Barty* 1-0 Keys (* denotes next server)

Madison Keys won the toss and opted to serve. She has serve put under pressure immediately with Barty once again using the slice so effectively. Keeping it low, pushing Keys around and having her put in plenty of effort into the groundstrokes. Keys hanging in there with plenty of depth on her forehand. And Barty keeps at it. A forehand into the corner and Keys is unable to get it back. Brings up break point. Converted! Picks up the drop shot with plenty of time and whips a forehand cross court winner to break!

14:17 (IST)

Ashleigh Barty leads 2-1 in the head-to-head over Madison Keys. She is yet to drop a set in Melbourne this year, Keys has dropped just the one. Women's semi-finals are underway with Keys serving first

14:07 (IST)

The two players waiting to be called out into Rod Laver Arena (image courtesy: SonyLiv)

14:06 (IST)

Ashleigh Barty warming up with some cricket. As she does!

13:58 (IST)

Get to know: Madison Keys

Age: 26

World ranking: 51

Prize money: $13,254,573

Career titles: 6

Grand Slam titles: 0

Australian Open best: Semi-final (2015)

Coach: Georgi Rumenov

Will be making her second Australian Open semi-final appearance with her previous best a run to the last four in 2015. Was a runner-up at the 2017 US Open and has also made the last four at Roland Garros (2018).

Victory over Barbora Krejcikova in the quarter-finals extended her unbeaten run this season to 10 matches after clinching a lead-up Adelaide tournament.

Has won five other WTA Tour titles dating back to her first at Eastbourne in 2014. Made her Grand Slam debut at the 2011 US Open.

Road to the semi-final:

1st rd: bt Sofia Kenin (USA x11) 7-6 (7/2), 7-5

2nd rd: bt Jaqueline Cristian (ROM) 6-2, 7-5

3rd rd: bt Wang Qiang (CHN) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/2)

4th rd: bt Paula Badosa (ESP x8) 6-3, 6-1

Quarter-final: bt Barbora Krejcikova (CZE x4) 6-3, 6-2

13:53 (IST)

Get to know: Ashleigh Barty

Age: 25

World ranking: 1

Prize money: $21,665,851

Career titles: 14

Grand Slam titles: 2 (French Open 2019, Wimbledon 2021)

Australian Open best: Semi-final (2020)  

Coach: Craig Tyzzer

Making her fourth Slam last-four appearance, winning twice so far. Her only failure was at Melbourne Park two years ago and she is again aiming to become the first Australian woman to win on home soil since Chris O'Neill in 1978.

Heads into the match on a nine-match win streak after taking the title at Adelaide this month -- her 14th career crown starting in 2017 at Wuhan and Birmingham. Three of them, including Wimbledon, came in 2021.

Has been world number one for 112 consecutive weeks. Made her Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open in 2012.

Road to the semi-final:

1st rd: bt Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) 6-0, 6-1

2nd rd: bt Lucia Bronzetti (ITA) 6-1, 6-1

3rd rd: bt Camila Giorgi (ITA x30) 6-2, 6-3

4th rd: bt Amanda Anisimova (USA) 6-4, 6-3

Quarter-final: bt Jessica Pegula (USA x21) 6-2, 6-0

13:46 (IST)

Dylan Alcott retires

Dylan Alcott did not get his fairytale finish, with World No.2 Sam Schroder outplaying the Australian 7-5, 6-0 in the men’s singles quad wheelchair final. He said, “To the Australian Open, I love you so much. Thanks so much to Jane [Hrdlicka], Craig [Tiley] and everybody, for changing my life and backing someone who is disabled to be the front of your brand.

“It’s not all around the world when every single locker room we go into there’s wheelchair tennis on. It started on this court, right here together, so I’m very thankful."

“To my team, I love you all so much. It’s been an incredible eight, nine, 31 years for some of us. It’s my mum’s birthday today, happy birthday mum, I love you.

“I’m really the luckiest guy in the world, and I didn’t need to win today to realise that. It would have been nice to win, to be honest, but I’m still the luckiest person in this country, if not the luckiest person in the world.”

13:45 (IST)

In men's doubles: It's going to be an all-Australian men's double final on Saturday at Melbourne Park. Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis, dubbed the “Special K" team, beat the third-seeded pair of Marcel Granollers of Spain and Horacio Zeballos of Argentina 7-6 (4), 6-4. On an adjoining near-empty Margaret Court Arena, fellow Australians Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell beat the second-seeded team of Rajeev Ram of the United States and Joe Salisbury of Britain 6-3, 7-6 (9), saving four set points in the second set.

Preview: It's women's semifinal day at Melbourne Park with two Americans featured. Madison Keys takes on top-ranked Ash Barty and Danielle Collins will play 2020 French Open champion Iga Swiatek. The winners will meet in a Saturday night championship match.

Barty is attempting to become the first Australian woman in 44 years to win the Australian singles title. The reigning Wimbledon and 2019 French Open champion holds a 2-1 career edge over Keys, including a win the last time they played in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in '19, but she’s wary of the American’s array of shots.

Keys enters the semifinals on a 10-match winning streak and 11 overall this year, matching her entire win total from 2021. Keys won the Adelaide International tournament earlier this month and has another five wins so far at Melbourne Park. Keys, who reached her first Australian Open semifinal as a teenager in 2015.

Collins has tied her best previous performance at Melbourne Park — she reached the semifinals in 2019, her previous best Grand Slam result.

(with inputs from AP)



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