22 Saturday, January 13, 2018 SPORTS Sydney International Barty downs Gavrilova

to Sydneyreach final and again in the seventh game to ease to shleigh Barty overcame a slow start victory and set up a final against either to win her all-Australian semi-final or . Aagainst 3-6 6-4 6-2 “I certainly shot myself in the foot with and advance to the final of the Sydney my serve today,” she said. “But happy to International. get through in the end and get another The 21-year-old needed one hour, 58 opportunity tomorrow. minutes on Friday to see off the challenge “Its been a pleasure playing here this of the Russian-born Gavrilova as both week.” players struggled to hold serve throughout Gavrilova was playing her third the match. successive Australian opponent in Sydney. Barty held just once in the first set but She had already beaten Olivia Rogowska (file pic) reversed the momentum in the second in the first round and former U.S. Open when she broke in the ninth game after champion Sam Stosur in the second Gavrilova double faulted twice, which and advanced to the semi-finals prompted the 23-year-old to smash her after Wimbledon champion racquet in frustration and earn a code Garbine Muguruza violation. withdrew with a hip Barty then broke early in the decider injury. (Reuters) Elise Mertens Vandeweghe enters Hobart bringing new Int’l final attitude to Hobart Melbourne efending champion Elise Mertens of Belgium Melbourne reached the final with oco Vandeweghe Da 6-4 1-6 6-2 win over British qualifier Heather feels the biggest Watson yesterday. Cmisconception about her The second-seeded Mertens recovered from a is that she is arrogant but t h e second-set lapse to edge out Watson, who won the outspoken American is not letting that get in the tournament in 2015, in one hour and 42 minutes. way of her quest for a maiden title at The 22-year-old world number 36 will play the . Mihaela Buzarnescu in Saturday’s final after the The twice grand slam semi-finalist, known Romanian sailed past fifth-seeded Ukrainian Lesia for her aggressive playing style and bold Tsurenko 6-2 6-2 in the second semi-final. personality, will get her next shot at that elusive “She made the same run (from qualifying) as title in the Jan. 15-28 Australian Open. I did last year, but I’m happy to win today,” “I don’t find myself to be arrogant when I’m Mertens said in an on-court interview. around people or even walking around, but Coco Vandeweghe “I gave it all today, and I’m still playing I seem to get called arrogant a bunch. And (file pic) doubles later. that I don’t understand,” world number 10 “I tried to play a bit more aggressive in Vandeweghe told ESPN on Thursday. the third set and make her run a little bit “It doesn’t make me feel great. But at more. She was dictating me in the second the end of the day, I’ve never been big set, all credits to her. She played an about what people say about me or let amazing match.” it really affect me. ... When I was 13 or After a tight opener which was 14, it bothered me when people made decided by a single break of serve, Elise Mertens (file pic) fun of me, like any person. But I know Watson, ranked 74th in the who I am.” world, fought back to square the Vandeweghe started working with match but her hopes of winning Australian coach Pat Cash last June and a fourth WTA title were dashed credits the former Wimbledon champion due to unforced errors. (Reuters) with helping change her attitude. (eurosport)