Tennis: Pliskova stands between Barty and her dream of emulating Cawley’s Wimbledon glory

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…

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