Young gun Barty into Nottingham final
Ashleigh Barty has reached the biggest final of her career to date after a tense semifinal win over Karolina Pliskova at the ITF Nottingham event.
Nottingham, England, 17 June 2012 | Tennis Australia
Australian Ashleigh Barty has survived a torrid semifinal battle at the $50,000 ITF event in Nottingham to reach the biggest final yet of her fledgling senior career.
Barty defeated Czech second seed Karolina Pliskova 2-6 6-3 7-6(6) to move into the title bout, the third straight match she has endured a three-set battle to prevail.
She will face either Belarusian No.1 seed Anastasia Yakimova or German Tatiana Malek in the final.
World No. 317 Barty, whose liking for grass became apparent thanks to her win at the 2011 junior Wimbledon event, has upset a string of higher-ranked opponents this week on the lawns at Nottingham.
The 16-year-old overcame third seed Valeria Savinykh of Russia in three sets in the second round before recovering from a set down to defeat American Madison Brengle, ranked No.170, in the quarterfinals.
Her previous best senior results have come in Australia, with the Queenslander winning a pair of $25,000 ITF tournaments in Sydney and Mildura in February.
Following the Nottingham event, Barty will look to continue her solid grasscourt form at the Wimbledon qualifying event, where she has been awarded a wildcard by the All England Club.