Barty eases past 'inspirational' Williams into Birmingham semis

Tennis - WTA Premier - Nature Valley Classic - Edgbaston Priory Club, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Britain - June 21, 2019 Australia's Ashleigh Barty in action during her quarter final match against Venus Williams of the U.S. Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

(Reuters) - French Open champion Ashleigh Barty warmed up for Wimbledon with a comfortable 6-4 6-3 win over Venus Williams to reach the semi-finals of the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham on Friday.

The 23-year-old Australian fired six aces, won four break points and won 77% of points on her first serve in a match that lasted an hour and 25 minutes.

World number two Barty was given a scare in the opening set when Williams flew into a 4-1 lead but the American was undone by her rising unforced error count (28), which gave Barty the opening she needed to get back into the contest.

Tennis - WTA Premier - Nature Valley Classic - Edgbaston Priory Club, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Britain - June 21, 2019 Australia's Ashleigh Barty in action during her quarter final match against Venus Williams of the U.S. Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

"I knew my level would have to be very good today to make it a contest," Barty said on court after her win. "Venus was an inspiration to every single girl and boy around the world, she still is.

"What she's been able to do for this sport is incredible. Her career has been phenomenal and it's not over yet," adding that she could "absolutely not" see herself playing at 39 like Williams.

Barty is now two wins away from becoming the first Australian woman to top the tennis rankings in more than 40 years as a title win in Birmingham will allow her to leapfrog world number one Naomi Osaka, who exited in the second round.

Tennis - WTA Premier - Nature Valley Classic - Edgbaston Priory Club, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Britain - June 21, 2019 Venus Williams of the U.S. in action during her quarter final match against Australia's Ashleigh Barty Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

"You start to think ahead, it's natural, it happens," Barty said of the potential number one ranking. "It's important for me to come out and focus tomorrow. Whatever happens, happens."

Barty will now face Barbora Strycova who beat Kristyna Pliskova 6-2 6-4.

The other semi-final will be played between Germany's Julia Goerges and Croatia's Petra Martic, who outlasted Jelena Ostapenko 6-7(4) 7-5 6-1 in a marathon encounter.

Tennis - WTA Premier - Nature Valley Classic - Edgbaston Priory Club, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Britain - June 21, 2019 Australia's Ashleigh Barty in action during her quarter final match against Venus Williams of the U.S. Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

Tennis - WTA Premier - Nature Valley Classic - Edgbaston Priory Club, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Britain - June 21, 2019 Venus Williams of the U.S. in action during her quarter final match against Australia's Ashleigh Barty Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

Tennis - WTA Premier - Nature Valley Classic - Edgbaston Priory Club, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Britain - June 21, 2019 Australia's Ashleigh Barty in action during her quarter final match against Venus Williams of the U.S. Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

Tennis - WTA Premier - Nature Valley Classic - Edgbaston Priory Club, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Britain - June 21, 2019 Venus Williams of the U.S. in action during her quarter final match against Australia's Ashleigh Barty Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

Tennis - WTA Premier - Nature Valley Classic - Edgbaston Priory Club, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Britain - June 21, 2019 Australia's Ashleigh Barty celebrates winning her quarter final match against Venus Williams of the U.S. Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

Tennis - WTA Premier - Nature Valley Classic - Edgbaston Priory Club, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Britain - June 21, 2019 Venus Williams of the U.S. reacts during her quarter final match against Australia's Ashleigh Barty Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine