Australian Open LIVE: Ash Barty vs Madison Keys tennis result and semi-final score

LIVE – Updated at 10:06

Follow live updates from the Australian Open women’s semi-finals after world number one Ashleigh Barty defeated 6-1 6-3 Madison Keys to book a place in Saturday’s final. Barty, the Wimbledon champion and tournament favourite, is aiming to become the first Australian since 1978 to win her home Grand Slam and the 25-year-old continued her dominant form as she raced to victory in one hour and two minutes.

In doing so, Barty becomes the first Australian woman to reach the Australian Open singles final in 42 years and she will face the winner of the second semi-final to take place on Rod Laver Arena, as Iga Swiatek faces another Danielle Collins. Swiatek, the seventh seed from Poland and the 2020 French Open champion, defeated Kaia Kanepi in the previous round while Collins beat Alize Cornet. Follow live updates below:

Australian Open latest updates

• Ashleigh Barty faces Madison Keys in first Australian Open semi-final
• Barty races to 6-1 opening set in 26 minutes
• Barty through to Australian Open final after sealing 6-1 6-3 win
• Iga Swiatek plays Danielle Collins in second semi-final
• Kyrgios and Kokkinakis into men’s doubles final

Australian Open: Barty 6-1, 6-3 Keys – Game, set and match!

10:06 , Jamie Braidwood

“It’s unreal,” says Barty after reaching the Australian Open final. “It’s incredible. I love this tournament and coming out here and playing in Australia. I’m just happy I get to play my tennis here. I enjoy it, I’ve done well before and I’ve got the chance to compete for the final. It’s unreal.

[On Madison Keys] “It’s so nice to see her back where she belongs. She is an amazing human being but the thing I love most about Maddie, no matter what happens on the court, she looks you in the eye, gives you a good handshake. I just love that about her. We really respect her and we love her.”

[On Aussie success] “Dylan Alcott is at the forefront of that. He’s inspired the whole nation and he’s inspired the globe. We were watching his match today and when he was giving his acceptance speech we were all crying. The way he and the Australian Open have worked together is incredible.”

[On Swiatek vs Collins] “Both of them are different in how they play. They’re both exceptional, that’s why they are here. They find a way to win even if they’re not playing their best. It’s going to be a hell of a match. I’ll come out here on Saturday with a smile on my face, try to enjoy it and see what happens.”

Australian Open: Barty 6-1, 6-3 Keys – Game, set and match!

09:54 , Jamie Braidwood

That was too good from Barty – it’s hard to say anything else. She has now taken 12 consecutive sets at the Australian Open and the world number one has only dropped serve once in reaching the final. Keys struggled in the opening set but Barty came under some pressure in the second, facing break point while the match was on serve, but came through the test in superb style, and in a little more than an hour.

The reaction from Barty was calm as she greeted Keys at the net. Despite all the pressure that is on her shoulders, she is doing a remarkable job of not letting it show.

Australian Open: Barty 6-1, 6-3 Keys – Game, set and match!

09:50 , Jamie Braidwood

Brilliant from Keys on the opening point! Wonderful defence from the American to return two smashes from Barty, before hitting the winner past the Australian.

Barty recovers thanks to her first serve – quickly taking control of the next two points with Keys coming up with two costly errors.

She maintains the pressure but forcing Keys deep and a backhand from the American that drifts long brings up two match points.

This is it – a first serve from Barty down the middle is followed up with a winner into the corner, and the world number one is through to the Australian Open final!

She becomes the first Australian woman in 42 years to reach the Australian Open final.

Australian Open: *Barty 6-1, 5-3 Keys

09:46 , Jamie Braidwood

Keys approaches the net on the opening point of her service game but Barty finds the forehand winner. To the delight of the Rod Laver Arena, she follows it up with another winner of the forehand, whipped past Keys into the corner.

Barty then nets but Keys produces her shot of the match to connect with a running forehand winner down the line to get back to 30-30. Better tennis now from both players after the nerves of the opening part of this set.

Keys then delivers another beauty of a winner out wide – and a wayward backhand from Barty means she will have to serve it out.

Australian Open: Barty 6-1, 5-2 Keys*

09:42 , Jamie Braidwood

An ace on the opening point of Barty’s serve is followed by Keys hitting her return into the net, Two further unforced errors from Keys hands Barty a fourth service game to love and moves her a game away from the Australian Open final.

Australian Open: *Barty 6-1,4-2 Keys – Barty breaks!

09:40 , Jamie Braidwood

Keys steps into a short ball on her forehand at 15-15 but pushes it long, and a further error on her forehand side bring up two break points at 15-40.

Keys escapes the first after Barty goes long on her backhand, and then another backhand error from Barty on the slice takes her to deuce.

That was tight from Barty, but the Australian responds well with a good combination and putting the forehand winner into the open court.

Facing a third break point, Keys rushes the net but Barty is able to find the forehand pass to make the crucial opening break in this second set.

Australian Open: Barty 6-1, 3-2 Keys*

09:34 , Jamie Braidwood

Barty nets a backhand volley after brilliant defence from Keys to chase down two smashes. At 15-30, Barty connects on a winner into the open court, but a further unforced error after more resilient play from Keys brings up break point for the American.

Barty dismisses it with a smash and Keys lets her off the hook slightly with an error on deuce. She is able to make the hold thanks to a strong first serve out wide and forehand into the opposite corner – but you can feel the nerves now, despite Barty’s excellent play.

Australian Open: *Barty 6-1, 2-2 Keys

09:30 , Jamie Braidwood

Small but important steps from Keys. She holds with a backhand winner down the line, after being dragged into a tense deuce. Barty made a return error before an unforced error on her backhand, but responded with a clean winner off the back of a Keys second serve, and another winner down the line to bring up 40-40.

Australian Open: Barty 6-1, 2-1 Keys*

09:23 , Jamie Braidwood

Magnificent response from Barty to immediately put the pressure back on Keys as she holds to love for the third time in this match – with a couple of aces thrown in for extra measure.

Australian Open: *Barty 6-1, 1-1 Keys

09:21 , Jamie Braidwood

Two opening errors from Keys, one on the forehand and one for the backhand, ramps up the pressure, and a first serve into the net at 0-30 doesn’t help.

Keys then produces her point of the match so far to outlast Barty and hit a forehand winner down the line, before Barty’s return of her first serve drifts long.

The Australian goes on the attack as she runs around a forehand and whips it into the corner, but Keys drops a wonderful return on the run into Barty’s feet at the net – and she can’t get the volley over.

Barty then goes wide and that confirms an excellent hold of serve for Keys, and an important one too. Can she build on it?

Australian Open: Barty 6-1 1-0 Keys*

09:17 , Jamie Braidwood

Blink and you’ll miss some of Barty’s service games. She races to 40-0 to open the second set before firing an ace down the middle. Keys is looking uncomfortable and faces a big test next. Losing serve on her opening service game would be a huge blow.

Australian Open: *Barty 6-1 Keys

09:13 , Jamie Braidwood

Barty dips a testing backhand slice low and short onto Keys’ side – and the American nets. On 15-30, Keys drops a nervy double fault to bring up set point and Barty thrashes a forehand winner down the line to take an 11th consecutive set at this tournament, and in just 26 minutes.

Too good.

Australian Open: Barty 5-1 Keys*

09:10 , Jamie Braidwood

After 10 consecutive points on serve, Keys finally gets a foothold in a Barty service game as the Australian goes long on a forehand. For all her dominance so far, Barty’s first serve percentage has been low and Keys then gets a look at a first serve that had sacrificed some power, only to net herself.

Things get a little nervy as a couple of unforced errors from Barty brings up break point from Keys – but she then finds her first serve to land an ace out wide.

Keys, to her credit, makes the next rally interesting and forces Barty wide, but she runs around the forehand to send a powerful strike into the corner.

Barty holds as Keys nets on her serve but there were some encouraging signs there for the American, even if Barty continues to cruise towards the opening set.

Australian Open: *Barty 4-1 Keys

09:04 , Jamie Braidwood

That’s too good from Barty. Even with Keys finding her first serve, the Australian is able to immediately take control of the rallies with the depth of her backhand slice return. On the back foot, Barty chases down a ball and pings a forehand into the far corner, which Keys can’t return. It earns her the insurance break and surely the opening set, too.

Australian Open: Barty 3-1 Keys*

09:00 , Jamie Braidwood

Two service games, eight points on serve for Barty. She seals a second consecutive hold to love with a forehand winner down the line. Keys went big on a couple of looks at second serves earlier in the game but either found the net or went too long.

Australian Open: *Barty 2-1 Keys

08:57 , Jamie Braidwood

This is not where Keys wanted to be so early in the match, and a further error from the American sees Barty take the opening point of the next game.

She digs in, though, and lands a forehand winner off of second serve to move to 40-15 after a couple of Barty errors. Barty then goes long and that will settle Keys as she gets on the scoreboard.

Australian Open: Barty 2-0 Keys*

08:54 , Jamie Braidwood

An opening ace from Barty is another ominous sign for Keys and a forehand long and backhand into the net from the American brings up 40-0 on the Australian’s serve.

Barty produces a stunning second serve up the middle which Keys cannot return, and that seals the opening hold to love.

Australian Open: *Barty 1-0 Keys – Barty breaks!

08:52 , Jamie Braidwood

Keys makes a confident start – driving a forehand winner down the line and moving to 30-0 after Barty nets on a first serve. The Australian gets on the board as she gets into the rally following a backhand slice and upping the tempo with a forehand. Keys then nets to bring up 30-30, but Barty nets on the forehand.

We go to deuce as Keys goes long on the forehand but the American finds a big first serve – only for Barty to edge the next point following a lengthy rally.

Good depth from Keys forces Barty long on the backhand – but the Australian clips the line with a backhand slice and Keys nets. This is already turning into an epic opening game.

Barty then strikes with a forehand crosscourt into the corner – before Keys draws her short and Barty puts it away with another forehand crosscourt winner to seal the opening break!

Australian Open: Barty vs Keys

08:40 , Jamie Braidwood

A relaxed Ashleigh Barty follows Madison Keys as the players make their way onto Rod Laver – it should be a cracking atmosphere as the home crowd roar on the world number one.

Barty is aiming to become the first Australian women to reach the Australia Open final since 1980 – but she will want to go one step further than that and end the 42-year wait for a home champion.

Keys wins the toss and elects to serve first.

What’s it like to face Barty? ‘You feel pretty helpless’

08:29 , Jamie Braidwood

After Ashleigh Barty continued her run to the Australian Open semi-finals with a dominant 6-2 6-0 win over Jessica Pegula, the American opened her press conference with a revelation on how dominant the world number one has been.

“I think we’ve seen her do that to a lot of people. Unfortunately, I was a victim tonight to that,” Pegula said. “There wasn’t much I could do. I think she’s definitely living in everyone’s head a little bit. She’s figured it out… mentally and physically with her game.

“She has the confidence right now where I think she feels like she can go out there and kind of chop anybody up when she’s playing really well.

“You feel pretty helpless. I think that she really, when she gets into a rhythm, she can run away, Her game just kind of picks you apart a little bit, and it can be really frustrating because you don’t feel like you can get a lot of free points.”

Madison Keys back on form as she eyes Grand Slam final return

08:19 , Jamie Braidwood

Madison Keys won just 11 matches on the WTA tour last season – she’s already won as many in 2022 as she reached the semi-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time since the French Open in 2018.

The American is aiming to make it to a first Grand Slam final since she was defeated in the US Open by Sloane Stephens in an all-American final in 2017.

She has the power to take on Barty at her own game, too. While Barty leads the field with 35 aces, Keys is second with 30 so far.

Alcott defeated in men’s quad wheelchair final

08:05 , Jamie Braidwood

Dylan Alcott’s professional tennis career ended in defeat in the final of the men’s quad wheelchair, but the Australian was still given a memorable reception on Rod Laver Arena.

The newly crowned Australian of the Year was defeated 7-5 6-0 by rival Sam Schroder.

“To the #AusOpen, I love you so much.”

Right back at you, @DylanAlcott 💙#AO2022 pic.twitter.com/MrsCRKYUjY

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2022

‘Special Ks’ Kyrgios and Kokkinakis just want to have fun

07:45 , Jack Rathborn

The “Special Ks” Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis insist their fairytale run to the men’s doubles final is all about having fun.

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis defeated third-seeded pair of Spaniard Marcel Granollers and Argentine Horacio Zeballos 7-6(4) 6-4 in front of a capacity crowd at the Rod Laver Arena, with compatriots Max Purcell and Matt Ebden in their way from a Grand Slam title.

“It sounds stupid, but winning has been our second priority every time,” Kokkinakis told reporters. “We hope to have fun, enjoy ourselves, enjoy our time on court. Hopefully they (crowd) feel like they’ve paid good money to watch us.”

And Kokkinakis added that he carefully approaches his game on the court with Kyrgios so as to allow his partner to thrive.

“I try to be a steady head out there for him,” said Kokkinakis. “Also don’t want to take away that energy and that fire because I think that’s what makes Nick, Nick.”

While Kyrgios said his goal was to bring new fans to tennis.

“If they flick on a match and they have Thanasi and I playing in an entertaining doubles match, they know nothing about tennis, if they watch that match just then, they probably would tune in next time,” he said.

“That’s what I’m about. That’s what I want to bring. I think that’s how the sport is going to survive.”

Nadal’s quest for history appeals amid sense of Medvedev’s growing aura

07:36 , Jack Rathborn

Of all the campaign speeches Daniil Medvedev could have given after advancing to the Australian Open semi-finals, “Be like Novak” was perhaps an ill-advised selection. The reference to men’s world number one Djokovic, and the ensuing boos, was a jarring reminder of all the controversy and drama that dominated the build-up to the opening Grand Slam of the year, and which had largely been left behind once the on-court action began.

Djokovic’s absence threatened to cast a shadow over the men’s tournament but the void has been filled by two weeks of gruelling, competitive and largely unpredictable matches, resulting in a final four and two semi-finals of the highest, available, order. All four semi-finalists, Medvedev, Rafael Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Matteo Berrettini, have survived five-set epics in the second week. There are sure to be more to come.

Medvedev’s duel with Felix Auger-Aliassime on Wednesday was the latest case in point: a thrilling battle over four hours and 42 minutes which saw momentum swings and a magnificent comeback from two sets and match point down. The world number two, and tournament favourite, was staring down the barrel of elimination when he summoned inspiration from Djokovic, as well as, it should be said, Roger Federer and Nadal.

Rafael Nadal’s quest for history appeals amid sense of Daniil Medvedev’s growing aura

Australian Open 2022 – Friday order of play

07:30 , Jack Rathborn

Order of play on the main showcourt on the 12th day of the Australian Open on Friday (play begins at 0100 GMT; prefix number denotes seeding):

ROD LAVER ARENA

Mixed doubles final

Jaimee Fourlis (Australia)/ Jason Kubler (Australia) v 5-Kristina Mladenovic (France)/ Ivan Dodig (Croatia)

Not before 0330 GMT

Men’s singles semi-finals

7-Matteo Berrettini (Italy) v 6-Rafa Nadal (Spain)

Not before 0830 GMT

4-Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece) v 2-Daniil Medvedev (Russia)

Medvedev eyes history with back-to-back Grand Slams

07:16 , Jack Rathborn

Daniil Medvedev can become the first man in the Open era to win a second major immediately after claiming his first following his 2021 U.S. Open success.

“If it’s true, then it will be history. It’s perfect,” the Russian said.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, who will face Medvedev in Friday’s other last-four clash, would become the first Greek to win a Grand Slam should he lift the trophy.

“I’m headed towards the right direction and things look good for me so far,” Tsitsipas, the youngest of the four semi-finalists at 23, said. “And, well, with the right mindset and with the right attitude and with the right development throughout the tournament, my chances are pretty good.”

Nadal not motivated by passing Djokovic and Federer

07:15 , Jack Rathborn

An Australian Open that began with an unprecedented saga involving reigning champion Novak Djokovic will finish with a historic flourish on Sunday with all four men’s semi-finalists having the chance to write their names into the record books.

Should 2009 champion Rafa Nadal win the Australian Open for a second time the Spaniard will become the first man to claim 21 Grand Slam titles, nosing ahead of great rivals Djokovic and Roger Federer.

The 35-year-old has said he is more motivated by the love of playing than finishing ahead of Djokovic and Federer.

“I don’t believe that my happiness, my future happiness, is (going to) depend on if I achieve one more Grand Slam than the others or if the others achieve more Grand Slams than me,” he said after his quarter-final win on Tuesday.

Matteo Berrettini, who will play Nadal in the first semi-final on Friday, is seeking to become the first Italian to win the Australian Open.

“I like to think that I’m writing a little bit (of) Italian tennis history. We are a great country for tennis,” he said.

Reuters

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis into the Australian Open men’s doubles final

07:12 , Jack Rathborn

Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis have eased into the Australian Open men’s final with a 7-6(4) 6-4 victory over Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos.

The unseeded Australian pair have never been in a doubles final in their careers and they will contest the title against compatriots Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell.

“I’ve played a lot of singles matches around the globe with amazing atmospheres but this week with Thanasi. Nothing beats this, this has been insane,” Kyrgios said.

Kokkinakis said: “It’s all about the crowd, the atmosphere. That is what gets us going. We worry about the tennis second. We would not have had this result anywhere else it’s sick.

“Both of us bring something different. A different energy, a different charisma on the court. We just enjoy it and have fun. I think we’re unpredictable and that’s why the crowd enjoy it.”