Friday, 7 September 2018:
 | | ASHLEIGH BARTY of Australia returns a shot to Claire Liu during the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center in Key Biscayne, Florida. | |
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Ashleigh Barty had two causes for celebration at the US Open on Thursday after advancing to the women's doubles final and winning a sportsmanship award.
Barty and American partner Coco Vandeweghe downed top-seed Czech pairing Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova 6-4 7-6 (8-6) to advance to Saturday's women's doubles decider.
Fellow Australian Samantha Stosur and China's Zhang Shuai bowed out in straight sets in the other semi to Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic and Hungary's Timea Babos, the No.2 seeds.
The women's award won by Barty was for the player who best demonstrated excellence in sportsmanship throughout the US Open Series, the American lead-up events to the season's final grand slam, and the New York major.
"Very surprised, very humbling," Barty said.
"I always try to do my best on the court to compete and try the best that I can but, in the same breath, also have good sportsmanship and respect my opponent, respect the tournament and respect everything that goes on behind the scenes to make it a possibility."
American John Isner won the men's award.
Isner and Barty receive a trophy and a $US5000 donation to the charity of their choice.
