Melbourne (AP) – The spectators in the Rod Laver Arena rose from their seats, Ashleigh Barty beamed: Barty was the first Australian tennis player in 44 years to win the Australian Open on Saturday.
With their superior 6: 1, 6: 3 against the former US Open finalist Madison Keys from the USA, the top seed in Melbourne made it into the final. There, the two-time Grand Slam tournament winner is definitely the favorite – and, as the first Australian finalist since Wendy Turnbull in 1980, can crown her fantastic two weeks with an emotional triumph. “It’s unreal. It’s unbelievable. I’m just happy,” Barty said in the winner’s interview while still on the pitch.
Number one in the world without dropping a set
As number one in the world, she rushes through the tournament. In now six matches, Barty did not give a sentence. And there is a lot to be said for her success in the final – whether she will face the Polish French Open winner of 2020, Iga Swiatek, or the American outsider Danielle Collins. The last Australian tournament winner to date was Chris O’Neil in 1978.
Due to the long dry spell, the expectations of the Australian fans are on their narrow shoulders, but Barty seems to be up to the burden. “I’ve grown as a person, I’ve grown as a player,” she said in the Melbourne days: “I feel like I’m a more complete tennis player. I absolutely love playing here. It was a lot of fun, and hopefully there’s still some left.”
The crowd at the Rod Laver Arena saw a one-sided game. The spectators admire her “Ash” for her ingenious athleticism, her versatile talent with the ball and for her elegant as well as variable game. With her uncomfortable and flat backhand slice, Barty also annoyed Keys from the start and made it difficult for her to recall her powerful game. Everything quickly pointed to an express victory.
Barty took the service games from her opponent to 1:0 and 4:1. The unseeded Keys could not show that she was actually rightly entered this semi-final and allowed herself too many mistakes. With a double fault, she gave Barty the first set ball, with an unattainable forehand return and the third break, the favorite secured set one.
Barty before historic opportunity
The 25-year-old from the Australian state of Queensland is only 1.66 meters tall and still serves very effectively. Her serve didn’t come off particularly well in this semi-final, but she had far fewer problems on her own service. At 2: 2 in the second set, however, she also faced a breakball, but bravely fended it off with a net attack and stayed ahead. Shortly thereafter, the world number one got the break to 4: 2. It was the preliminary decision.
Barty has already gained experience with historic triumphs. In 2019, she became Australia’s first French Open champion in 46 years. About six months ago she was celebrated as Australia’s first Wimbledon winner since 1980. But a triumph in a home grand slam after the years with your tennis break, with the change of sport, your comeback and time off during the corona pandemic would have another dimension. Two years ago, Barty finished in the semifinals, last year in the quarterfinals. Now one more win is missing.