Ashleigh Barty one win from world number one spot after reaching Birmingham final
- Published
Barty won the 2018 US Open doubles with Coco Vandeweghe
Ashleigh Barty is one win from becoming world number one after beating Barbora Strycova to reach the final of the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham.
The French Open champion will replace Naomi Osaka at the top of the rankings if she wins the title on Sunday.
Barty, who won her maiden singles Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, beat the Czech world number 51 6-4 6-4.
The 23-year-old Australian will face Germany's Julia Gorges - her doubles partner - in the final.
"It's nice to be in another final. It's been a hell of a year so far," said Barty.
"Whatever happens happens. We're having a really good time at the moment and hopefully we can go one more tomorrow."
World number 19 Gorges beat Croatia's Petra Martic 6-4 6-3 in the second semi-final.
Barty and Gorges withdrew from their doubles semi-final against fourth seeds Anna-Lena Gronefeld and Demi Schuurs because of a right arm injury to the Australian, but said there was no concern for her fitness in the singles final.
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