The Australian Ashleigh Barty beat the Czech Barbora Strycova (6-4 and 6-4) and qualified for the final of the Birmingham tournament, so, lifting the title on Sunday, she will be number one of the WTA.

Barty, 22 years, recent champion in Roland Garros, would surpass the Japanese Naomi Osaka, in case of winning in the final of Birmingham, while, with a defeat, would stay two points in the ranking.

The current number two in the world possesses, after this triumph, 6,375 points, for the 6,377 of Osaka, which was eliminated in Birmingham in the second round. In case of not succeeding, Barty would have another opportunity to ascend to the first step next week in Eastbourne, last commitment before Wimbledon, although yes, to become number one there, would no longer be first seeded in the third Grand Slam of the season.

His opponent in the final will come out of the clash between the German Julia Goerges and the Croatian Petra Martic