World No 1 Ash Barty powers her way through to the semi finals of Wimbledon for the first time after straight sets victory over fellow Australian Ajla Tomljanovic

  • Ashleigh Barty will face Angelique Kerber for a place in the final on Thursday
  • World No 1 Barty comfortably beat her compatriot Ajla Tomljanovic 6-1, 6-3 
  • Barty paid tribute to Tomljanovic describing her as an 'incredible competitor'
  • Barty believes that her semi final showdown with Kerber is the 'ultimate test'

World number one Ashleigh Barty powered her way into the Wimbledon semi-finals with a straight-sets demolition of fellow Australian Ajla Tomljanovic.

Barty, the former French Open champion, is into the last four at SW19 for the first time after a brutal 6-1 6-3 victory on Centre Court.

Tomljanovic, who was Emma Raducanu's fourth-round opponent on Monday night when the British teenager retired due to breathing difficulties, was broken three times as Barty raced away with the first set in 24 minutes.

Ashleigh Barty celebrates after her straight sets victory over fellow Australian Ajla Tomljanovic

Ashleigh Barty celebrates after her straight sets victory over fellow Australian Ajla Tomljanovic

World No 1 Barty produced a dominant performance to comfortably dispatch her compatriot

World No 1 Barty produced a dominant performance to comfortably dispatch her compatriot 

The 28-year-old, ranked 75 in the world, had won just 11 points in the opening set, but she at least threatened to make a fight of the second.

The Barty serve was broken twice, but each time Tomljanovic was unable to hold and the match was wrapped up with an ace - her 23rd winner - in an hour and six minutes.

Barty said: 'It's exciting. Ajla is an incredible competitor, I practice with her a lot and of course we are Fed Cup team-mates so she was always going to bring the best out of me.

Ajla Tomljanovic was no match for Barty as she crashed out of Wimbledon on Tuesday

Ajla Tomljanovic was no match for Barty as she crashed out of Wimbledon on Tuesday 

Tomljanovic (left) congratulates her Barty (right) after her impressive quarter final victory

Tomljanovic (left) congratulates her Barty (right) after her impressive quarter final victory

'All the Aussies back home are bloody proud of her and it was good to share the court with her today.

'This is a dream come true. I know you hear that a lot but this is my dream and I'm extremely grateful to have the chance.'

Barty will face 2018 Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber on Thursday.

'It's the ultimate test,' added Barty. 'Angie has had success here before and I love that match-up. She's an incredible competitor.' 

A disappointed Tomljanovic waves to the crowd as she departs after her straight sets defeat

A disappointed Tomljanovic waves to the crowd as she departs after her straight sets defeat 

Barty will now play 2018 Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber in Thursday's semi final

Barty will now play 2018 Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber in Thursday's semi final 

Ashleigh Barty powers her way through to Wimbledon semi finals

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