1978 was the last time the Australian Open Women’s title was won by a home player. The long wait should come to an end on Saturday when Ashleigh Barty takes on 27th seeded Danielle Collins in the 2022 final. Barty is the top seed and world number one but is in her first Australian Open final. The Australian is in supreme form this year. Already one title has been won and Barty comes into this final having won all 10 of her matches played this year. The last nine have all been won in straight sets. It’s been a dominant Barty so far in Melbourne. Her six wins have seen her lose just 21 and only six in the last two rounds.
Barty has won three of her previous four matches against Collins. However, it was the American who won the last match and she did it in Australia last year. Collins began this tournament as the world number 30 but is up to 10th in the live rankings but won’t rise any higher, even if beating Barty. The 30-year-old reached the semi-final of this tournament three years ago. Her best in other Grand Slam events is a quarter final at Roland Garros in 2020. Collins had to go to three sets in her matches against both Clara Tauson and 17th seeded Elise Mertens. A shock was caused in the semi-final when beating seventh seeded Iga Swiatek for the loss of just five games. This looks a step too far for her though, back Barty to win in straight sets.