Australian tennis star Ashleigh Barty is just a short haul from her maiden Australian Open Grand Slam win. World number one and top-ranked Barty has defeated Madison Keys in straight sets in the women's singles semi-finals. She defeated 26-year-old Madison of the United States 6-1, 6-3 in a match that lasted more than an hour. Barty is now set to face 28-year-old Danielle Collins of the United States in the title clash. Barty will be the first Australian to play the women's singles title clash in Melbourne since Wendy Turnbull in 1980. World number one Barty has been completely effective in the last few weeks. Barty, who won the Wimbledon 2021 title, is seeking to become the first Australian woman to win the Australian Open since 1978. Before which Barty has lost to Sofia Kenin in the semi-finals in 2020. In the second semi-final of the women's singles, 27-ranked Danielle Collins of the United States defeated Iga Swiatek in straight sets. Collins defeated Swiatek 6-4, 6-1 and has managed to reach the final. Collins had earlier lost to Petra Kvitova in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in 2019 and after which she also suffered second-round defeats in 2020 and 2021. Australian Open: Rafael Nadal close to 21st Grand Slam 2 more new players added to India's hockey team 16-year-old Pragyananda gives a crushing defeat to Vidit