World No.1 Ashleigh Barty survived a match point before booking a place in the China Open final with a thrilling 6-3 3-6 7-6 (9-7) victory over Kiki Bertens on Saturday night (AEST).
Barty will play the winner of the second semi-final between Naomi Osaka or Caroline Wozniacki for the title.
The in-form Australian raced to a 3-0 lead but was made to work hard for the first set, eventually closing it out on her sixth set point.
Bertens flipped the script in the second, taking the first three games and holding firm to send the gripping contest into a third and deciding set.
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The world No.8 kept the momentum to start the third, breaking Barty’s opening service game.
Bertens handed the break back in her very next service game but, after surviving a break point in the fourth game, pulled out to a 4-2 lead.
The Dutchwoman served for the match at 5-4 but was unable to seal the deal as Barty broke to get back on level terms.
Bertens again looked on course for victory as she burst out to a 3-0 lead in the tiebreaker.
But once again Barty dug deep.
The Australian served for the match at 6-5 but was unable to convert.
Barty then saved a match-point of her own at 6-7 before rattling off three straight points to seal a heart-stopping win.
“I thought the quality was exceptional from both of us at times,” Barty said.
“Win or lose, you come off feeling pretty good about it. Obviously it sucks there’s only one winner.
“But pretty happy with the way I was able to fight and dig in late in that third, as well.”
