Australian Open: Ashleigh Barty and Iga Swiatek looking strong ahead of WTA semi-finals
We look ahead to what is a fascinating line-up for the WTA Australian Open last four.
The Australian Open has reached the semi-final stage and, as usual, the women's event has thrown up a plethora of surprises along the way.
That said, there is no lack of quality in the final four, with two major winners in there and a US Open finalist.
Ashleigh Barty (1) vs Madison Keys
Head to head
Matches played: 3
Barty wins: 2
Keys wins: 1
On the face of it, this match looks a relatively straightforward one to call. It's on Barty's racket. However, don't be fooled by Keys' low ranking.
She has also been playing magnificently in Australia this month. Her clean-hitting power game from the back of the court works well in this climate, and she won the Adelaide International the week before the Australian Open.
Madison Keys in focus
Age: 26
World ranking: 51
Highest ranking: 7 (October 2016)
Career titles: 6
Career majors: 0
Plays: Right
Career W/L: 303/173 (64%)
She has certainly looked the part too. The world No. 1 is yet to be broken in the tournament and has dropped just 17 games in five matches.
One thing to bear in mind there, though, is she is yet to be really tested. She has faced just two seeds and no one from the top 20.
Ashleigh Barty in focus
Age: 25
World ranking: 1
Highest ranking: 1
Career titles: 14
Career majors: 2
Plays: Right
Career W/L: 298/102 (74%)
Planet Sport prediction: Barty in three
Danielle Collins (27) vs Iga Swiatek (7)
Head to head
Matches played: 1
Collins wins: 0
Swiatek wins: 1
Iga Swiatek in focus
Age: 20
World ranking: 9
Highest ranking: 4 (September 2021)
Career titles: 3
Career majors: 1
Plays: Right
Career W/L: 149/47 (77%)
Let's be clear here: Collins is very much the underdog, but no one will be underestimating her.
Danielle Collins in focus
Age: 28
World ranking: 30
Highest ranking: 23 (January 2019)
Career titles: 2
Career majors: 0
Plays: Right
Career W/L: 185/109 (63%)
Planet Sport prediction: Swiatek in two