Any fears Ash Barty was light on form leading into next week's Australian Open have been allayed, with the world number one storming to victory over Marketa Vondrousova in the Adelaide International.
The quarter-final triumph sets up a testing semi against American Danielle Collins on Friday, who took down world number seven Belinda Benic in straight sets.
Like she did en route to claiming last year's French Open final, Barty tore eighth-seed Vondrousova apart, defeating the Czech 6-3, 6-3 in a match that lasted an hour and 21 minutes.
Barty extended her run over Vondrousova now to four wins from four attempts, as she continues to work her way towards claiming her maiden Australian Open title next week.
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A few eyebrows were raised when Barty was thrown out of last week's Brisbane International through defeat to American qualifier Jennifer Brady in the round of 16.
But the 23-year-old bounced back on Wednesday with victory over a strong opponent in Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to set up the quarter-final against Vondrousova.
Following her French Open triumph - her first-ever grand slam victory - expectations are high as Barty prepares for her Australian Open tilt.
Thanks so much for your support tonight Adelaide!@ashbarty thanks the sell out crowd for watching that winning performance.#AdelaideTennis pic.twitter.com/AhGWt3E2Mc
— Adelaide International (@AdelaideTennis) January 16, 2020
Luckily for Barty, she's been dealt a relatively simple path through to the Australian Open finals, an opening-round match against world number 120 Lesia Tsurenko.to kick start her campaign.
However, a potential quarter-final showdown with Petra Kvitova is on the cards, with the Czech world number seven on the same end of the draw as Barty.
Top seed Ash Barty opens against Lesia Tsurenko in the first round.#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/GUgC6WBvoh
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2020
