SYDNEY, January 12, 2018

Aussies Ash Barty from Queensland and Alex de Minaur of North South Wales have provided local tennis fans with a dream finals line up at Ken Rosewall Arena as they aim to win titles on home soil in the Harbour City.

Australian No.1 Barty defeated compatriot Daria Gavrilova 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the first semifinal of the day and in doing so the World No.19 becomes the first female to reach the Sydney International final since Fed Cup captain Alicia Molik won the tournament in 2005 beating compatriot Sam Stosur.

“It’s nice to make a final at home, I love playing in Australia, I love playing at home. It’s nice to be able to get a lot of matches here and be rewarded with the final,” Barty told.

Barty faces the last remaining Grand Slam Champion in the draw, out of a record seven who started, World No.22 Angelique Kerber of Germany. The two-time Grand Slam Champion had a dominant semifinal win over Camila Giorgi from Italy winning 6-3, 6-3.

Meanwhile Aussie teen sensation Alex de Minaur has gone one better than his semifinal appearance at the Brisbane International securing a spot in tomorrow’s final against Russian youngster Daniil Medvedev. The teenager becomes the first 18-year-old to reach the Sydney final since his mentor Lleyton Hewitt won the tournament in 2000. The Aussie recovered from a set down to beat Benoit Paire of France 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.

“I don’t know so much about him, but I saw him play in some tournaments and I knew already before that he’s gonna be a great player,” Medvedev said on de Minaur.