World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty won her Australian Open semi-final against Madison Keys today. The Australian put away her opponent in straight sets (again).

Thus, Barty is now in the final round of the Grand Slam, and one victory away from her first Australian Open championship. Moreover, she could potentially become the first Australian since 1978 to win the Australian Open.

Barty is already the first Australian woman in 42 years to reach the final stage of the Happy Slam. Here’s what former British tennis star Tim Henman has to say about the home support she enjoys.

Tim Henman says Ashleigh Barty has home-court advantage

Henman, who has made multiple semi-finals at Wimbledon in front of his home crowd, talked about the pressures of playing at home.

“There are two sides to it,” Henman said. He stated that if Ashleigh Barty were to be “reading everything in the newspaper, everything on the television or the radio,” she’d find it impossible to play.

Thus, in such a situation, Henman suggested that Barty should just “concentrate on (her) preparation and performance.” Nevertheless, he does not take away any credit from the home crowds at the Australian Open.

“The best bit is the support,” he said. Then, he talked of Barty’s popularity in her country. “Ash Barty is so popular,” he said. Moreover, he also talked of how there had been many “negative stories” around the Grand Slam leading up to it.

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However, “now we have got so many positive stories at the end and it’s being led by Ash Barty,” Henman opined. Furthermore, he looks forward to an exciting final, where Barty can “continue to ride that momentum of support.”

Barty will now cross paths with Danielle Collins

Following her straight-set victory over Madison Keys, Barty will now face her opponent’s compatriot, Danielle Collins. Interestingly, she’ll have an American opponent for the fourth straight round.

Collins and Barty have faced off against each other four times, and Barty has walked away victorious on three of those occasions. However, in their last meeting, it was Collins who won in Adelaide.

Who do you think will walk away with the Australian Open trophy?

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