Barty downs Svitolina for a place in the Miami Open final

Ashleigh Barty played a strong match against Elina Svitolina to booking a spot in the Miami Open final.

The first set started well for Barty who broke Elina in the first game as the Ukrainian was slow to find a rhythm in this game. She would struggle to do so even a few games in allowing Barty to take a 4-1 lead. At that point, Svitolina started playing better pulling one break back but by then the damage was already done. Barty would close out the set with another break at 5-3.

Svitolina struggled with her serve, hitting less than 50 % of her first serves. That opened the door for Barty to attack her on her 2nd serve where Barty won 61 % of the points.

The 2nd featured a proper battle as both players had to save break points in their service game. Barty would have a good next service game to take a 2-1 lead before she broke Svitolina taking a 3-1 lead. It seemed as if we were heading to a swift conclusion but after a lengthy battle, Svitolina pulled the break back.

She could not confirm it in her next service game due to some erratic play and some missed chances. Svitolina tried to attack Barty but the Australian defended extremely well and with the occasional strong serve she was able to hold the lead at 5-2.

In the end, Barty was too solid for Svitolina to overcome so she closed it out at 6-3. The defending champion moves on to the final where she will try and defend her title won in 2019.