Ashleigh Barty will compete for just her second career title after defeating compatriot Daria Gavrilova 3-6 6-4 6-2 in an all-Australian semi-final at the Sydney International.

In a topsy-turvy match on Friday that included 11 breaks of serve, Barty needed just one in the third set to set up a final against Angelique Kerber or Camila Giorgi.

Her strong campaign is strong preparation for next week’s Australian Open in Melbourne, where she opens against world No.69 Aryna Sabalenka.

“It’s been a pleasure playing here this week and it’s nice getting a bit of confidence going into our biggest tournament for us,” Barty said after the match.

Nerves allowed both players to draw a break early in the match, however Barty in particular had trouble on serve, holding just once on her way to losing the first set.

The Ipswich product responded by reeling off the first three games of the second, but each time Gavrilova fought back, Barty continued to make inroads into her serve.

Gavrilova’s frustration spilled over in the ninth game of the set when, soon after levelling at 4-4, she double-faulted twice and received a code violation for cracking her racquet.

Momentum was well and truly with Barty when she forced a deciding set and broke early in the third. While Gavrilova attempted to stay with Barty, she was broken to love in the seventh game.

Former world No.1 Kerber and Giorgi, a qualifier, meet later on Friday.