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

Ash Barty has reached the final of her home major for the first time in her career, becoming the first local player in 42 years to reach the Australian Open women's singles decider.

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.»

Barty produced a clinical performance against Keys, hitting five aces and not conceding a double fault. She made 13 unforced errors to her opponent's 24.

The Australian had arrived at the semifinal stage without dropping a set, while she had only given up one service break in her five earlier matches.

Keys — who has been ranked as high as number seven in the world — had also been in superb touch, with straight-sets wins over