Ash Barty advances to Australian Open final after defeating Madison Keys in straight sets

Ash Barty is one win away from adding another major championship to her tally after becoming the first local player in 42 years to reach the Australian Open women's singles final.

Barty achieved the feat in style on Thursday night, comfortably winning her semifinal against American Madison Keys 6-1, 6-3 in just over an hour on Rod Laver Arena.

Wendy Turnbull was the last Australian to reach the women's final in Melbourne in 1980 when she lost to Hana Mandlíková in straight sets.

Barty will be hoping to go one better and become the first Australian to lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup since Chris O'Neil in 1978.

The world number one will chase her third major singles championship in Saturday night's final against 27th-seeded Danielle Collins of the United States.

Collins dominated seventh seed Iga Świątek of Poland, 6-4, 6-1 in the second semifinal to progress to her first decider at a major.

«It's unreal. Honestly, it's just incredible,» Barty said in her on-court interview.

«I love this tournament, I love coming out here and playing in Australia, and as an Aussie, we're exceptionally spoiled that we're a grand slam nation.

»We get to play in our backyard and I'm just happy that I get to play my best tennis here.

«I've done well before and now we have a chance to play for a title. It's unreal.»

At her post-match media conference, Barty revealed she would not be making any changes to her preparation now she had reached the final.

«I'm a creature of habit. Not a lot will change for us,» she said.

«The preparation stays the same, process is the same.

»I'm able to switch off when I'm not here on site and that makes the time when we are on-site more enjoyable, more special, and then we switch on and get ready to go."

Barty produced a