Ashleigh Barty thrashes Madison Keys to race into Australian Open final

By Ben Church, CNN

Updated 1017 GMT (1817 HKT) January 27, 2022

Ashleigh Barty beats Madison Keys to reach the Australian Open final.

(CNN)There seems to be no stopping Ashleigh Barty at the moment.

The 25-year-old raced into theAustralian Open final on Thursday after crushing American Madison Keys 6-1 6-3 in just over an hour on court. Barty has yet to drop a set in the tournament and Australia is now anticipating a first home Australian Open singles champion since 1978.She will face either Danielle Collins or Iga Swiatek in Saturday's final. «It's just unreal,» Barty said after the match.Read More«As an Aussie, we are spoiled that we are a grand slam nation, and now we have a chance to play for a title.»READ: US tennis star reaches Australian Open semifinals after life-changing surgeryBarty celebrates winning the semifinal after just over an hour on court.'See what happens' in finalThe first set was over in a flash with Barty using her experience and devastating serve to claim it in just 26 minutes. Keys, who was playing in her first Australian Open semifinal since 2015, struggled to get started in the match but put up some opposition in the second set. Despite a few impressive winners from the American, it was Barty who was in total control from start to finish. The Australian crowd roared after Barty hit the winner at match point as they watched her become the first Australian to reach the women's single final at this event since 1980. And Barty won't be very tired, either. She has only spent just over six hours on court during the year's first grand slam and has never looked in trouble.Despite this, she won't be taking the final for granted as she looks to add to her Wimbledon and French Open titles. «Both [Danielle