<
>

Ashleigh Barty into Nottingham final as rain disrupts Johanna Konta semi

Ashleigh Barty celebrates her semifinal victory at the Nature Valley Open. James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

Top seed Ashleigh Barty is into the Nature Valley Open final after a straight sets victory in Nottingham.

The Australian defeated No. 3 seed Naomi Osaka 6-3, 6-4 to make her second WTA final of the season.

Barty broke her Japanese opponent twice in the first set and again at the beginning of the second to add a final place to the one she earned at Sydney in January.

The 22-year-old lost just nine points on serve in the semifinal to set up a decisive encounter with either Britain's Johanna Konta or Croatian Donna Vekic.

Konta cruised through the first set of their match winning it 6-2 before play was interrupted by rain.

The British No. 1 looks to be in control but will be wary of her opponent who beat her in the final at Nottingham a year ago.