Pliskova, Barty to battle for Wimbledon glory

Australian aims to fulfil childhood dream; Czech player wants to prove critics wrong

LONDON:

Ashleigh Barty will fulfil a childhood dream when she plays in Saturday's Wimbledon final but Karolina Pliskova stands in her way of achieving a more significant one.

Barty is attempting to win her first Wimbledon title on the 50th anniversary of fellow indigenous Australian Evonne Goolagong Cawley's maiden crown.

Pliskova is driven more by proving to her "brutal critics" she was right in sticking to her style of play rather than alter it radically as the former world number one dropped out of the top 10.

Whatever happens on Saturday a return to the top 10 beckons for the 29-year-old world number 13 but for the keen angler the catch of the day would be her first Grand Slam title.

To do so she must overcome a world number one who produced her best performance yet of the fortnight in beating 2018 champion Angelique Kerber in the semi-finals.

Barty also has a firm hold on their head-to-head meetings leading Pliskova 4-2 (1-0 to Barty on grass) including their most recent meeting in Stuttgart on clay this year.

The aura of Cawley has been ever-present at the All England club with Barty wearing a specially-designed dress in tribute to the iconic scallop one that she wore in 1971.

"It's a really special anniversary for Evonne," said Barty.

"I couldn't be more proud to be in a position to wear an outfit inspired by her.

"Now to kind of give myself a chance to create some history almost in a way that's a tribute to her is really exciting.

"I couldn't be more rapt to have that opportunity on Saturday."

The 25-year-old 2019 French Open champion put her childhood dream of playing in a senior Wimbledon final -- she won the junior title in 2011 -- into some perspective.

"I wasn't sure if it would ever happen honestly," she said.

"I think Wimbledon for me has been an amazing place of learning. Probably 2018, 2019 (3rd and 4th rd exits respectively) was some of my toughest weeks playing. To come away with losses in those two tournaments, I learned a hell of a lot. I think a lot of the time your greatest growth comes from your darkest times. I think that's why this tournament has been so important to me."

Barty's movement around the court has been a feature of her campaign which she admits seemed a remote possibility when she retired from her second round match at the French Open with a left hip injury.

"I think we had 23 or 24 days in between finishing up in Paris and my first round here," said Barty.

"To be honest, it was going to be touch-and-go. Everything had to be spot on to give myself a chance to play pain-free and to play knowing that I could trust my body."