Ashleigh Barty said on Tuesday she was having fun “problem-solving” on court after accelerating her march towards a maiden Australian Open title Tuesday with a straight-sets masterclass against Jessica Pegula. 

The single-minded World No.1 dismantled the 21st-seeded American 6-2, 6-0 in 63 minutes on Rod Laver Arena to power into the last four at Melbourne Park for only the second time.