Ashleigh Barty admits she has thought about the prospect of becoming world No.1 but won’t let it shift her focus from winning the Birmingham Classic.
The Australian is now two wins away from becoming the top dog in women’s tennis after cruising past five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams in the quarter-finals at the Edgbaston Priory Club on Friday.
The Queenslander, who trailed the 39-year-old American 4-1 in the first set, rallied back to secure to a 6-4 6-3 win in just under 90 minutes.
She’ll now face 50th-ranked Czech veteran Barbora Strycova on Saturday for a place in Sunday’s final.
“I am not there yet,” Barty said.
“But any time you can get yourself deep in to a tournament it’s exciting and no doubt about it, you start to think ahead.
“But it is important for me to focus tomorrow and do the best I can.”
Barty said she knew she would need to raise her game against one of the modern-greats of women’s tennis, who despite being 39, showed she can still compete at the highest level.
“Venus is an absolute champion and any time you get to share a court with her you learn things,” Barty said.
“For me to be on the other side of the net is a privilege.
“I was really relaxed and determined to come out and enjoy it.
“Any time you get to play against someone like Venus you have to make the most of the opportunity and enjoy it.
“I knew my level would need to be very good today to make it a contest and I was glad I was able to do that.”
Victory over Strycova will move Barty to within two points of current world No.1 Naomi Osaka.
Should the 23-year-old win the decider against Croatia’s Petra Martic or Julia Goerges, who has been her doubles partner this week, she will become No.1 and the provisional top seed for Wimbledon, which starts on July 1.
That would make her the first Australian female since Evonne Goolagong Crawley in 1976 to top the rankings and the first Aussie since Lleyton Hewitt, who did it 19 years ago.
“If I play well tomorrow and win then it gives me a great opportunity,” Barty said.
“Whatever happens, happens, what will be will be.”
Strycova, 33, beat Krystyna Pliskova 6-2 6-4 in her quarter-final and knows she’s in for a tough test against the in-form Barty, who’s now won 10 straight matches.
The Czech admits she was surprised Barty won at Roland Garros but had no doubt she would one day take out a grand slam.
“I am surprised it was on clay. I thought maybe it would be on grass,” said Strycova.
“But I’m so happy for her, because she’s such a talented player.
“She’s such a young player. She has such a bright future. Good for her.”
Earlier in the day Martic saved five match points as she defeated 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-7 (7-4) 7-5 6-1.
Goerges, who will play the doubles semi-final with Barty on Saturday, beat Osaka’s second-round conqueror Yulia Putintseva.
