‘My terms in the end’: Barty pulls through, on course for Williams clash
World No.1 Ashleigh Barty remains on course to face Serena Williams in the semi-finals of her Australian Open lead-up tournament.
The Australian needed three sets to overcome Czech Marie Bouzkova, who forced a three set thriller despite losing the opening seven games of the match.
Barty was unusually inconsistent after her early dominance. She made 13 unforced errors in the second set and was broken twice in the deciding set. Yet the former French Open champion produced her class when she needed to in the big moments, prevailing 6-0 4-6 6-3.
“It was a really solid match,” Barty said in her on-court interview.
“I felt like in the middle of the match I just pressed a little bit and lost my execution, but glad to find it in the end and get another opportunity to play tomorrow.
“[Bouzkova] makes a lot of returns and makes you work really hard in every single service game,” Barty continued. “So, I’m trying to get a few cheapies when I can and trying not to give away too many cheapies myself. That was probably the key. Happy to get it on my terms in the end.”
Ashleigh Barty at Melbourne Park on Wednesday. Credit:Getty Images
A rusty Barty will now face American Shelby Rogers in the final eight of the Yarra Valley Classic and victory would most likely set up a mouth-watering clash with Williams at Melbourne Park.
Barty and Rogers have only faced off once, in a 2017 clash also at Melbourne Park in the second round of the Australian Open. Barty prevailed 7-5 6-1 and it’s fair to say Rogers hasn’t forgotten.
“It’s going to be a tough match for sure, another big challenge for me. The last time I played Ash Barty here in Melbourne, she absolutely humiliated me!” Rogers said.
“[I] would love to get a crack at that again ... I’m happy to be moving on, healthy and excited with the way I’m playing and excited for more tennis in Melbourne.”
One of Barty’s other big rivals in the Yarra Valley Classic, second seed Sofia Kenin, also had to come from behind during her clash with fellow American Jessica Pegula, eventually prevailing 5-7, 7-5, 6-2.
Sam McClure is a sport reporter for The Age and winner of 'best news reporter' at the AFL Media Association awards.