Ashleigh Barty of Australia reacts after defeating Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 4-6/7-6/6-2 in their semifinal tennis match of the women's singles WTA Tour Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (Marijan Murat/Pool via AP)
The Associated Press
STUTTGART, Germany (AP) - Top-ranked Ash Barty celebrated her birthday on Saturday by coming back from a set down to beat the fourth-seeded Elina Svitolina 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2 and book her place in the Porsche Grand Prix final.
The new 25-year-old Barty clicked from the second set, when Svitolina was unable to serve out the match at 5-4. Barty was down 4-2 in the tiebreaker but fought back again. The Australian converted four of her 10 break point opportunities to win in just over two hours.
Barty will play Aryna Sabalenka in Sunday's final as she bids for her first clay title since the 2019 French Open.
Sabalenka defeated the second-seeded Simona Halep 6-3, 6-2 in the second semifinal. The Belarusian saved all three break points she faced and converted three of her own nine opportunities to win in just over an hour.
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Ashleigh Barty of Australia holds a flower bouquet she received as a birthday present after defeating Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 4-6/7-6/6-2 in their semifinal tennis match of the women's singles WTA Tour Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (Marijan Murat/Pool via AP)
The Associated Press
Ashleigh Barty of Australia, center, holds a flower bouquet she received as a birthday present after defeating Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 4-6/7-6/6-2 in their semifinal tennis match of the women's singles WTA Tour Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (Marijan Murat/Pool via AP)
The Associated Press
General view of the empty arena during semifinal tennis match between Ashleigh Barty of Australia foreground, and Elina Svitolina of Ukraine of the women's singles WTA Tour Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (Marijan Murat/Pool via AP)
The Associated Press
Elina Svitolina of Ukraine reacts during her semifinal tennis match with Ashleigh Barty of Australia of the women's singles WTA Tour Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (Marijan Murat/Pool via AP)
The Associated Press
Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus reacts after defeating Simona Halep of Romania 6-2/6-2 in their semifinal tennis match of the women's singles WTA Tour Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (Marijan Murat/Pool via AP)
The Associated Press
Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus puts on a face mask after defeating Simona Halep of Romania 6-2/6-2 in their semifinal tennis match of the women's singles WTA Tour Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (Marijan Murat/Pool via AP)
The Associated Press
Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus returns the ball to Simona Halep of Romania during their semifinal tennis match of the women's singles WTA Tour Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (Marijan Murat/Pool via AP)
The Associated Press
Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus serves to Simona Halep of Romania during their semifinal tennis match of the women's singles WTA Tour Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, Saturday, April 24, 2021. (Marijan Murat/Pool via AP)
The Associated Press