Tennis: Barty,15, makes wildcard semi-finals

Ashleigh Barty. Photo / Getty Images

Wimbledon junior champion Ashleigh Barty has breezed into the semi-finals of the Australian Open wildcard tournament at Melbourne Park.

Two more wins would see the 15-year-old Queenslander in the main draw of next month's Australian Open.

Barty defeated Emelyn Starr from New South Wales 6-3 6-2 on Thursday.

"It was tough out there today," Barty said. "It was a little bit windy and the sun was pretty bad at one end but I was able to put my game together just long enough to get the win."

Barty upset top seed Casey Dellacqua in the first match of the round robin event and is shaping as a strong favourite for the wildcard.

"I just wanted to see how I went. I was just out here to have fun and to play against Casey was great," she said.

Barty admitted she had "definitely" surprised herself with her progress but is unsure about whether she is prepared for an Open main draw spot.

"I'm not really sure, I'm ready when I'm ready. I can't tell you when that will be but I'll just keep developing and see if I get there," she said.

Dellacqua won her second match but due to an earlier loss will have to rely on Tennis Australian providing her with a discretionary wildcard into next month's grand slam.

After winning six straight Pro Tour events in the past three months she is certain to be awarded a place in the draw.

- AAP