Zhuhai: Barty reaches semifinals, nears top 16

Ash Barty is set to cap her impressive 2017 season after advancing to the semifinals of the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai.

The Australian 21-year-old beat Angelique Kerber 6-3 6-4 on Thursday, a day after beating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in straight sets.

Those results sees Barty top the Rose Group and advance to the semifinals, where she will join Anastasija Sevastova and CoCo Vandeweghe.

FEATURE: Wozniacki No.1 when ranked using ATP system

What a dominant performance from @ashbar96 who defeats Kerber 6-3, 6-4 @WTAEliteTrophy! pic.twitter.com/qw6hl6wwQY

— WTA (@WTA) November 2, 2017

Sevastova has been in similarly dominant form, winning both her round-robin matches in straight sets. Vandeweghe also finished with a 2-0 record in her group, although she was stretched to three sets by China’s Peng Shuai.

Barty began season 2017 ranked No.271 but is projected to crack the top 16 after advancing to the last four in Zhuhai – a huge boost for her seeding when she returns to Australia for the year’s first Grand Slam event in January.

“When I was younger, I wasn’t ready to be a top-100 player, probably more mentally and emotionally than anything,” said Barty, who won her first WTA title in Kuala Lumper this year and reached another two finals.

Ash Barty fires 11 aces en route to a 63 64 win over Kerber. Looking strong as she heads to the semifinals @WTAEliteTrophy.

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) November 2, 2017

“Breaking into the top 100 this year was a big barrier for me, just to sort of get the monkey off the back.

“I just feel like now, when I walk out on the court, I’m comfortable and confident against whoever I play.”

Her victory over Kerber was her ninth over a top-20 ranked opponent in 2017.

The final semifinal place will be determined when Julia Goerges and Kristina Mladenovic face off on Friday night to see who comes out on top of the Azalea Group.

While Georges – the recent Moscow champion and winner of 22 of her past 30 matches – has been one of the in-form players on tour lately, Mladenovis is currently enduring an 11-match losing streak.

Goerges needs only to win a set to advance, while Mladenovic will progress should she win in straight sets.

Barty, Sevastova & Vandeweghe Secure SF Spots @WTAEliteTrophy

Goerges needs to win a set vs Mladenovic to advance

— Kevin Fischer (@Kfish_WTA) November 2, 2017