 "R Vaishali makes history at FIDE Grand Swiss as Arjun Erigaisi misses out on Candidates spot")
 "With 25th Grand Slam looking increasingly uncertain, Novak Djokovic could fulfill another dream next year")
Preview: Ash Barty will be trying to win a second trophy in her past seven Grand Slam tournaments when she faces Karolina Pliskova at Wimbledon on Saturday. Pliskova seeks her first major championship, five years after losing in her only previous Slam final. In matching up against No 1 seed Barty after eliminating No 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals, Pliskova hopes to do something only three women managed to accomplish since the Open era began 53 years ago: beat the top two seeds en route to the title at the All England Club. Venus Williams pulled that off twice, actually — in 2000 (defeating No 1 Martina Hingis in the quarter-finals, then No 2 Lindsay Davenport in the final) and in 2005 (defeating No. 2 Maria Sharapova in the semi-finals, then No 1 Davenport in the final). The only other examples go back at least a half-century: Ann Jones in 1969 and Evonne Goolagong in 1971. Goolagong’s second Wimbledon title in 1980 was the most recent for an Australian at the All England Club. Like Goolagong, Barty has indigenous roots; they’ve known each other for more than a decade and Barty is wearing a skirt-and-shirt outfit this fortnight inspired by Goolagong’s dress from 41 years ago. Pliskova came close to the 1-2 double at the 2016 US Open, too, eliminating No 1 Serena Williams in the semi-finals before getting beaten by No 2 Angelique Kerber in three sets in the final. Kerber’s victory at Flushing Meadows pushed her up to No 1 in the rankings. Pliskova is aware that she trails her next opponent 5-2 head-to-head — including three wins in a row for Barty — and knows what awaits in terms of the tennis. Barty’s lone major title so far came on red clay at the 2019 French Open, and, like Pliskova, she’d never been past the fourth round at the All England Club until this week. With inputs from AP.
Wimbledon 2021 Highlights, women's singles final: Ashleigh Barty crowned first Australian Wimbledon women's champion in 41 years
In the women’s final at All England Club, Ashleigh Barty beat Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 for her first Wimbledon title.
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That’s it from us!
Well, well, well, what a match that was! For a while, it seemed like it was going to be a pretty one-sided affair, after Ash Barty absolutely eased through the first set, but Karolina Pliskova did well to fight back and make it a competitive match. Do make sure to tune back in tomorrow, as we bring you all the latest updates from the men’s final, featuring Matteo Berrettini and one Novak Djokovic. Until then, goodbye and goodnight!
Ladies and gentlemen, your Wimbledon champion, Ashleigh Barty!
Ash Barty speaks after the match: This is incredible. I want to start with Karolina, congratulations to you and your team, you’ve had an incredible tournament. I like testing myself against you, and I’m sure we’ll play many many more matches. I want to genuinely thank every single person in this stadium, you’ve made my dream so special, thank you so much.
At the start of the third set, I told myself to just keep fighting. Karolina is a wonderful competitor, she really brought out the best from me today. It was an exceptional match from the start and I knew I had to play to my best level. I was really proud of the way I reset after losing the second set, and then I just kept on going and kept on chipping away, and managed to hold my nerve.
I can’t remember the match point! It took me a while to verbalize my dream, and say that I wanted to win this tournament and only then did I dare to dream. with everyone here, this has made it so special.
I didn’t sleep a lot last night, I was thinking about all the ‘what ifs,’ but when I came out on court, I felt at home in a way, and to share that with my team and everyone is an incredible feeling. My team is incredible, they’re there with me every step of the way, sacrificing their own dreams and lives at times. This year has been tough, because of the restrictions, and they’ve had to essentially leave their lives behind for months.
Evonne Goolagong Cawley means a lot to me, I hope I made her proud.
I know my family is at home watching, and I’m really glad that they get to see this. I can’t wait to meet them again in a few months and really celebrate this trophy!
Karolina Pliskova speaks after the match: Thank you for being here everybody. I enjoyed every moment I played on this court. Sorry.. *breaks into tears*
I never cry, and now.. I want to start with Ashleigh. She played an incredible match and an incredible tournament. I had to fight really hard to keep up with her. Congratulations to her and her team.
I want to thank all my team. All the success I’ve had goes to them. I have more people watching from home, I want to thank all of them and my family. We’ve had a really great three weeks here.
Set 3: By the numbers!
Game, Set, Match, Championship: Ashleigh Barty wins the final 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3!
OH MY WORD! What athleticism from Barty, she leaps into the air and pulls off a stunning backhand volley winner. 15-0. Error from Barty, 15-15. Pliskova hits a shot wide, 30-15. Ashleigh Barty is two points away from a maiden Wimbledon title. Pliskova makes the game 30-30 after forcing Barty into an error. Barty absolutely bungles a straightforward forehand, and Pliskova has breakpoint! Pliskova misses a backhand after some good defense from Barty, and it’s deuce. ACE! Advantage Barty, she has championship point! First serve missed. Second serve connects, and after a short rally, PLISKOVA HITS INTO THE NET! ASH BARTY HAS HER FIRST WIMBLEDON TITLE!
Ashleigh Barty* 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 5-3 Karolina Pliskova (* denotes next server)
Alright, does Karolina Pliskova have one last push left in her? Oh what a marvellous point for Pliskova! She and Barty traded all sorts of shots, from volleys to lobs and blind backhands, that was probably the point of the match and it goes Pliskova’s way thanks to a volley winner! 15-0. Ash Barty levels the game at 15-15 with a smash! Pliskova gets a stroke of luck as a blind, reaching shot clips the net and catches out Barty. 30-15. Ohh, double fault from Pliskova! 30-30, this is heating up now! Another backhand volley winner from Pliskova and then an ace sees her hold serve! Barty will have to serve this out.
Ashleigh Barty 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 5-2 Karolina Pliskova* (* denotes next server)
A considerably long rally ends with an Ash Barty error. 0-15. Barty then hits a forehand down the line, which Pliskova struggles to get to. Pliskova’s resultant desperate lob is fired out for a smash winner by Barty. 15-15. Barty sends a stinging forehand the way of Pliskova, who akes an error in her bid to return it. 30-15. Pliskova hits an inside out forehand winner, 30-30. Pliskova puts a little too much juice into a forehand, and it flies wide. 40-30. Another forehand error, and Barty maintains her lead in this set! Pliskova will serve to stay in this final.
Ashleigh Barty* 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 4-2 Karolina Pliskova (* denotes next server)
First serve is great, and it forces Barty into sending back a big loopy lob, which Pliskova hammers for a forehand winner. Next serve is out wide, and Pliskova follows it to the net and hits a winner again. 30-0. Her third serve is followed by a dropshot, which Barty hits into the net. This is intelligent stuff from Pliskova, she’s really switching it up. 40-0. Good point for Barty, she forces Pliskova to chase and then hits a forehand cross court winner into the empty side of the court. Pliskova holds serve with a smash.
Ashleigh Barty 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 4-1 Karolina Pliskova* (* denotes next server)
Pliskova does really well to hold to love in her service game with some intelligent shot-making. Unfortunately she can’t continue that momentum into the next game, and despite dropping a couple of points, Ashleigh Barty ultimately manages to hold quite comfortably thanks to a couple of mistakes and some lax play from Pliskova.
Ashleigh Barty 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 3-0 Karolina Pliskova* (* denotes next server)
Ash Barty wins the first point with a smash, before forcing Pliskova into making an error with a nasty, low, skidding and swerving slice. 30-0. Barty serves out wide on the next point, and then hammers a forehand winner down the opposite line. 40-0. Barty overhits a forehand, 40-15. Double fault from Barty, 40-30. Pliskova then hits a forehand long, and Barty has a good lead in the third and deciding set.
Ashleigh Barty* 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 2-0 Karolina Pliskova (* denotes next server)
Oh my word, excellent work from Ashleigh Barty in the beginning of this third set! Barty does really really well to hold serve under intense pressure from Pliskova, before breaking Pliskova’s serve in the next game with ease. Pliskova looked very poor in her first service game of the third set, and once again, she’ll have to come from behind.
Set 2: By the numbers!
Karolina Pliskova wins second set 7-6 (7-4)!
Pliskova gets the first point with a serve out wide, which Barty hits into the net. Barty gets the next, after her attempted passing shot beyond the reach of Karolina Pliskova at the net is hit into the stands by the Czech eighth seed. Pliskova hits a shot into the net, Barty is up 2-1. Error from Barty, it’s 2-2 now. This is tense. Another error from Barty, 2-3 to Pliskova, who lets out a massive roar! Fluffed backhand from Barty, it’s 2-4. Barty looks really nervy at the moment. Oh wonderful work from Pliskova, she manages to make it just in time to meet a volley from Barty at the net, and then forces Barty into sending a lob her way, which she smashes into the ground. 2-5. Another point for Pliskova, could this be her moment? Pliskova hits a backhand wide, 3-6. Great first serve from Barty, it’s a service winner, 4-6. Double fault from Barty, and Pliskova wins the second set!
Ashleigh Barty 6-3, 6-6 Karolina Pliskova* (* denotes next server)
Well, well, well, this is strange. Pliskova really looked like she was in the ascendancy there for a bit, but Barty managed to weather the storm and resorted to a more defensive approach, which led to Pliskova making a string of errors. What can Pliskova do now? It’s do or die time. Barty begins with a double fault, not quite the best way to start the game. Pliskova then hits a backhand into the net to level the game at 15-15. Barty tries to redirect a vicious return from Pliskova to the other end of the court, but her shot lands in the doubles alley. 15-30. Barty hits a forehand long, and now Pliskova has two break points! What drama! 15-40. Missed forehand from Barty, and Pliskova lives on! Tiebreak time in the second set!
Ashleigh Barty* 6-3, 6-5 Karolina Pliskova (* denotes next server)
Good first two serves from Pliskova, and Barty’s returns are wide. 30-0. Ace from Pliskova, 40-0. She tries to thwack a backhand down the line and follow it into the net on the next point, but Barty’s return catches her out and her volley hits the net. 40-15. Barty then hits a lovely inside out forehand winner to make it 40-30. Aaaah, Pliskova tries to go for a cannon backhand, but there’s way too much power in it and flies out of bounds. Deuce! Lovely defensive play from Ash Barty to neutralise Pliskova’s big forehands with backhand slices, and Pliskova ultimately makes an error in the rally. Advantage and break point to Barty! Another missed backhand from Pliskova, it’s fired into the net and Barty gets the break! She will now serve for the title!
Ashleigh Barty 6-3, 5-5 Karolina Pliskova* (* denotes next server)
Barty to serve to stay in the second set now. She wins the first point after Pliskova plonks a backhand into the doubles alley. Pliskova looked really frustrated with herself for making the mistake, she was playing really well in the rally before the error. Oof, double fault from Barty, 15-15. She makes up for it with a big serve down the middle which Pliskova can’t return. Another service winner from Barty! 40-15. Ace and hold. Steady as can be from Barty.
Ashleigh Barty* 6-3, 4-5 Karolina Pliskova (* denotes next server)
Barty tries to hit a forehand deep into the court, but she just about overdoes it, and it’s an inch or two long. 15-0. Oof, what a shot from Pliskova! Barty forced her wide and then rushed towards the net, but Pliskova hit a lovely passing backhand winner. 30-15. Ace from Pliskova, 40-0! Game Pliskova, it’s a comfortable service hold to love thanks to a forehand error from Barty.
Ashleigh Barty 6-3, 4-4 Karolina Pliskova* (* denotes next server)
Barty appears to hit a pretty straightforward forehand wide, but she challenges the call and it actually just grazed the line before going out. Point to Barty. Barty appears to then hit a winner in the exact same spot, and Pliskova challenges the call! It’s just as narrowly in this time around though, and Barty is up 30-0. Barty is really executing her backhand slices really well, and one of them sits up just right to bamboozle Pliskova into making an error. 40-0. Another error from Pliskova and Barty holds serve!
Ashleigh Barty* 6-3, 3-4 Karolina Pliskova (* denotes next server)
Lovely work from Pliskova to win the first point, she takes control of the rally and then drills a cross court forehand winner past a stranded Ash Barty. Another slightly long rally ends with a point for Pliskova after Barty hits a forehand into the net. Pliskova is easily winning points which she was giving away for free in the last set. Ace, Pliskova up 40-0. A forced error from Pliskova gives Barty a point, but Pliskova holds serve after forcing Barty into a mistake.
Ashleigh Barty 6-3, 3-3 Karolina Pliskova* (* denotes next server)
If Pliskova really wants to get back into this contest, now would be the best time to up the ante, especially after she managed to hold serve under such pressure in the last game. Double fault from Barty, and Pliskova wins the first point. 0-15. Barty hits a forehand long and Pliskova has an opening here! Can she bring this set back on serve? 0-30. Oh wow, what a return from Pliskova! Barty serves out wide, but Pliskova reads it and sends a bullet of a forehand winner back . No chance Barty was getting to that. Three break back points for Pliskova. SHE BREAKS! Ash Barty hits a forehand into the net and this second set is brought back onto serve. Game on!
Ashleigh Barty* 6-3, 3-2 Karolina Pliskova (* denotes next server)
Good first serve from Pliskova, Barty can’t return. This is a bit of a must-win game for her, she can’t go down double break in the second set. Forehand error from Barty and it’s 30-0. Barty sends a couple of monster forehands Pliskova’s way on the next point, and ends the rally with a huge forehand winner down the line. 30-15. Pliskova hits a shot long in the midst of a rally, and it’s called out. She challenges, but the call was good. 30-30. Ace from Pliskova, followed by another big serve down the middle that Barty can’t return. Good hold from the Czech eighth seed under pressure.
Ashleigh Barty 6-3, 3-1 Karolina Pliskova* (* denotes next server)
Great first serve from Barty, and Pliskova can’t make the return. 15-0. Barty miscues a backhand slice, and it’s 15-15. Service winner from Barty, that serve was fired down the middle, and Pliskova could only get the faintest of contacts on it with her racquet. 30-15. Hmm, double fault from Barty. She must be under a bit of pressure, could this be an opportunity for Pliskova to fight back? Nope, Barty hits another blistering serve down the middle for a service winner, and then wraps up a hold with an ace.
Ashleigh Barty* 6-3, 2-1 Karolina Pliskova (* denotes next server)
Oof, Karolina Pliskova begins with a double fault. 0-15. Oh lord, that’s another double fault! She looks really out of sorts at the moment, it just isn’t connecting for her. She goes safe with the third serve, which is a mistake, because it allows Barty to wrest control of the rally, and force her into making an error on the forehand. Barty has three break points. She needs just one, Pliskova hits a forehand into the net. Advantage Barty in the second set!
Ashleigh Barty 6-3, 1-1 Karolina Pliskova* (* denotes next server)
Ace and Barty is up 15-0. Bit of a rally on the second point, and it ends when Pliskova is unable to keep her forehand within bounds. 30-0. A big serve from Barty, and Pliskova’s return hits the net. Barty finishes off with an ace.
Ashleigh Barty* 6-3, 0-1 Karolina Pliskova (* denotes next server)
Unforced error apiece from either player to make it 15-15. Pliskova then ramps up her serves, sending in big, fast ones to Barty to wrap up a service hold in double quick time.
Set 1: By the numbers!
Ashleigh Barty wins first set 6-3!
Quickfire service hold from Karolina Pliskova, she looks a lot more confident now than she did in the first couple of games, but Barty still has the advantage. Barty absolutely races to three set points in her service game, with two service winners and an error from Pliskova. Pliskova then commits an unforced error on the forehand and Barty takes the first set!
Ashleigh Barty 5-2 Karolina Pliskova* (* denotes next server)
Great backhand from Pliskova and it forces Barty into committing an error on the backhand. 0-15. Pliskova tries to punch her way through in a rally, but Barty predicts her every move and then seals the point with a lovely cross court forehand winner that catches out Pliskova, who was perhaps expecting a backhand down the line. Oof, double fault from Barty. 15-30. Pliskova unleashes a vicious smash on the next point, which Barty can’t send back. Pliskova has break point. She converts it with an excellent return off a tame Barty serve. Five breaks so far in this first set.
Ashleigh Barty* 5-1 Karolina Pliskova (* denotes next server)
Pliskova charges towards the net to meet a drop shot from Barty, but her forehand is too flat and it’s fired into the middle of the net. 0-15. Barty then overcooks a backhand and sends it flying past the baseline. 15-15. Service winner from Karolina Pliskova, Barty’s return clips the top of the net and falls back down onto her side. 30-15. Oh, beautifully executed point from Barty, she makes Pliskova chase down a forehand in one corner of the court, and then whacks the resulting lob for a smash back in the same direction as Pliskova tries to run back into the centre. Break point Barty, due to a missed backhand from Pliskova. Barty gets the break! Pliskova hits a forehand long and Barty will be serving for the set!
Ashleigh Barty 4-1 Karolina Pliskova* (* denotes next server)
Rare error from Barty as she tries to place a loopy forehand into the corner of the court but puts a little too much power into it. 0-15. Oh, an unforced error from Barty on an attempted volley and for the first time, Pliskova is putting a bit of pressure on her opponent. Barty then appears to hit a shot long of the baseline, but she challenges the call immediately, and it’s proven to have landed on the baseline. Pliskova has break point now! Barty bends down and tries to scoop out a low shot, but her forehand is hit long. Pliskova breaks! Barty can’t clear the net with a forehand. This will do the Czech star a world of good, it’s something she could build on. She’s still a break down though.
Ashleigh Barty* 4-0 Karolina Pliskova (* denotes next server)
Lovely work from Ashleigh Barty to cover ever single blade of grass on the court and outlast Pliskova to win the first point. Another rally ends with a Barty point, as the Australian World No 1 swivels and unleashes a fierce inside out forehand winner. Pliskova is playing everything really central at the moment, and Barty isn’t having to struggle too much. That being said, Pliskova has just won her first point after a slice from Barty fails to clear the net. But Barty makes up for that missed slice with another razor-sharp slice on the next point that skids off the baseline and goes past Pliskova. Break points for Barty. Pliskova manages to save one of those by outlasting Barty on a rally, but Barty gets the break after a nervy double fault from Pliskova! Surely this is the first set wrapped up here?
Ashleigh Barty 3-0 Karolina Pliskova* (* denotes next server)
Oh lord, Ashleigh Barty is running away with this first set and Karolina Pliskova looks like a deer caught in the headlights at the moment. Three big serves from Barty all go unreturned, before the Australian fires in an ace. After three games, Pliskova is yet to win a single point. The Czech eighth seed really needs to get going soon or she’ll be out of this contest.
Ashleigh Barty* 2-0 Karolina Pliskova (* denotes next server)
Oh my word, Ash Barty is absolutely cruising at the moment. She wins the first point with an excellent cross-court forehand, before making it 0-30 with a delightful lob over Pliskova. Pliskova then gives Barty three break points with an error, before Barty breaks with a backhand winner. It’s all one way traffic in these early moments.
Ashleigh Barty 1-0 Karolina Pliskova* (* denotes next server)
Ashleigh Barty gets us underway with the serve, and the first point goes the Australian’s way after a long rally ends with a backhand winner. Barty comes up with an ace to win the next point. Pliskova then makes an error on the forehand, before Barty wraps up the game with a service winner.
Karolina Pliskova’s path to the Wimbledon final:
Ash Barty’s path to the Wimbledon final:
Karolina Pliskova stands between Ashleigh Barty and emulating Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s glory
Ashleigh Barty will fulfil a childhood dream when she plays in Saturday’s Wimbledon final but Karolina Pliskova stands in her way of achieving a more significant one.
Barty is attempting to win her first Wimbledon title on the 50th anniversary of fellow indigenous Australian Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s maiden crown.
Pliskova is driven more by proving to her “brutal critics” she was right in sticking to her style of play rather than alter it radically as the former world number one dropped out of the top 10.
Whatever happens on Saturday a return to the top 10 beckons for the 29-year-old world number 13 but for the keen angler the catch of the day would be her first Grand Slam title.
Click here to read more of the preview of tonight’s match.