Ashleigh Barty reaches French Open quarter-finals after beating Sofia Kenin
Australian prevails 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 against 20-year-old
Barty will face Madison Keys, who beat Katerina Siniakova
Ashleigh Barty’s impressive run at the French Open continued on Monday when the Australian saw off American Sofia Kenin 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 to reach the quarter-finals.
The eighth seed, who claimed a career-boosting title at the Miami Open this year, will play her second Grand Slam last-eight match against another US player, Madison Keys.
The 14th-seeded Keys experienced little trouble in a 6-2 6-4 victory against Czech Katerina Siniakova.
“I just wanted to enjoy myself here, play with freedom,” said Barty, who also reached the last eight at the Australian Open this year.
Barty rushed to a 5-1 lead, wrapping up the opening set on serve after Kenin briefly threatened a comeback by pulling a break back.
The American had found her range, though, and she went 3-0 up in the second, pulling her opponent around the court – just as she did in beating 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams in the previous round.
She saved two break points at 5-3 and levelled the tie at the third attempt when Barty fluffed a forehand.
But she had nothing left in the tank in the decider, being fed a bagel that put a brutal end to her Paris run.
Barty could leave Paris as high as second in the world if she wins the tournament, with top-five trio Angelique Kerber, Kiki Bertens and Petra Kvitova all early casualties or non-starters on the clay.
On Court Suzanne Lenglen, Keys was always in control against world No 42 Siniakova, advancing smoothly in light drizzle.
After easing into a one-set lead Keys, a semi-finalist here last year, encountered some resistance from Siniakova in the second set, but prevailed in the 10th game when the Czech player hit a forehand long.
