Ashleigh Barty conquers Sofia Kenin to set up Madison Keys clash

French Open
Ashleigh Barty

Ashleigh Barty continues to reach new heights in 2019 as she booked her first-ever quarter-final place in the French Open with a three-set win over Sofia Kenin.

The Australian, who won the biggest title of her career when she lifted the Miami Open earlier this year, was sluggish in the second set as Kenin took it to a decider, but she eventually won 6-3, 3-6, 6-0.

Barty broke twice in the first set, but the American hit back with one break in the second to level the match before the Australian ran away with things.

“It was my first time this week playing on this beautiful court (Philippe Chatrier) and I just wanted to come out here and enjoy it,” Barty, who is also the first player on the WTA Tour to reach two Grand Slam quarter-finals so far this year, said. “To play with fight, play with freedom and enjoy myself.”

She will face Madison Keys for a place in the semi-final after the 14th seed scored a 6-2, 6-4, victory over Katerina Siniakova.

Keys broke three times in the first set, although Siniakova also managed a break, while the Czech broke first in the second set before the American got her act together to win a straight sets.

“I’m definitely happy that I could close it out in two sets. Playing in heavy conditions for three sets didn’t sound like much fun,” Keys said.

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