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Match details
Fixture: (1) Ashleigh Barty vs (25) Angelique Kerber
Date: 8 July 2021
Tournament: The Championships, Wimbledon
Round: Semifinals
Venue: London, Great Britain
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Grass
Prize money: £17,066,000
Match timing: 1.30 pm local time, 12.30 pm GMT, 8.30 am EST, 6 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel & ESPN | UK - BBC TV & Radio | India - Star Sports / Disney+ Hotstar VIP
Ashleigh Barty vs Angelique Kerber preview
In a battle of Grand Slam champions, Ashleigh Barty will take on 2018 winner Angelique Kerber in the Wimbledon semifinal on Thursday. While Kerber is making a return to the last four at SW19 after three years, Barty is in uncharted waters.
The top seed this fortnight, Barty cruised to a 6-1, 6-3 win over Ajla Tomljanovic in an all-Aussie quarterfinal to earn a berth in her maiden Wimbledon semifinal. Meanwhile, Kerber overcame 19th seed Karolina Muchova 6-2, 6-3 to advance to her fourth semifinal at the All England Club.
After returning from a 11-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Barty has looked in stellar form this year, winning titles in Melbourne, Miami and Stuttgart.
Her claycourt season was cut short due to injury and she took some time off, skipping the entire grass swing leading up to Wimbledon. But the World No. 1 appears to be fully fit again, and has looked in fine touch at SW19; she has dropped just one set en route to the last four.
Kerber, on the other hand, has had a mixed season, which includes first-round losses in Melbourne and Paris and a run to the title in Bad Homburg.
The German is now on a 10-match winning streak though, and is aiming to secure another shot at the Venus Rosewater Dish. Kerber has twice reached the Wimbledon final in the past; she lost to Serena Williams in 2016 but exacted revenge two years later by beating the American.
Ashleigh Barty vs Angelique Kerber head-to-head
Angelique Kerber and Ashleigh Barty have split their four previous meetings, so their current head-to-head stands at 2-2. Barty won their most recent encounter, at the 2018 Wuhan Open, in straight sets.
Ashleigh Barty vs Angelique Kerber prediction
Although the two women have faced each other multiple times, they have never met on grass. Angelique Kerber's past successes at Wimbledon should hold her in good stead for this contest, but Ashleigh Barty's versatile game makes her a huge threat.
Both players like to maneuver their opponents around the court. The German has exceptional counterpunching skills and an incredible ability to turn defense into offense. As for Barty, her topspin forehand and backhand slice are huge weapons.
The Australian also has a powerful serve, and is the current ace leader on the WTA tour. She has showcased her serving prowess fully this fortnight, firing 38 aces and dropping serve just 10 times in five matches.
The serve could ultimately be the differentiator in this match. If Barty can land a high percentage of first serves, she should be able to dictate proceedings.
Kerber has looked impressive at SW19, but she could well meet her match in the shape of the World No. 1.
Prediction: Ashleigh Barty to win in three sets
